EVENT ✨ Tournaments & Trust

[avalonmods]

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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

Zidane Tribal | Final Fantasy IX

[tantailizing]

Part 1: Tourney Time

A. Down Time

[Felt like it wasn't all that long ago they were in Celliwig - and that's probably because it was only a month ago, but that was still a while. He'd give the folks credit, they were trying to open up more to the outside again so he'd take his time during this second visit to look at their wares and what the Elphame traders have to offer again.]

[More importantly than that, there's watching several of the other tournaments taking place in the Top Talents Tourney that he was gonna go sit in and root for people. People he knows shouldn't be surprised to suddenly hear him hollar their name and tell them they got it...! And maybe some people he doesn't know should be plenty surprised when he hears him cheer for them anyway.]


B. Put Up Your Dukes

[There are two tournaments taking place in Celliwig that have Zidane's attention and sign-up: Melee Mania and Familiar Feud. Finally, some legal fighting fun where he didn't have to worry about someone paying to sabotage him or Moguo. And better yet, healers were on stand-by.]

[When it's not his turn (or if he was eliminated), he'd go on to cheer for others that might be fighting (or have moved on).]

[Good luck everyone!]

Part 2: Break-In

A. Thief Hustle Offense

[So, he'd gone to the bar to hear Gwion out and decided better to risk relations than something happening to King Arthur and Queen Elphame, and he wasn't the only one looking to break into the Hall. However, he might be one of the few that had done a few Breaking and Enterings for some less-than heroic reasons.]

[Not that those facts matter at this point - point is, anyone in his way between getting in are going to find themselves with a trickier combatant than the tournament led on, willing to play dirty if it means a successful entry for himself or another. Or, perhaps someone else on the offense has come to help him clear a path for their fellow (hopefully temporary) outlaws.]


B. Hall of Mirrors (Closed to CR)

[Looks like Gwion was right so far. Just a look around the Hall and it was obvious things weren't right - at least, something had gone wrong at some point. Walking forward, he has to mentally sigh because great, mirror maze. Time to talk about some redesigns once this was over, but he digresses - they have to focus.]

[They have to...]

[But he stops and blinks. His reflection blinks back and grins.]

... Really? Again?

[He places his hands on his waist and sighs. Oh boy...]


[OOC: Wanna plot a Wildcard option outside of these prompts? PM me or hit me up over on plurk: demidemonLove]

Naomi Kimishima | Trauma Team

[chatwithdeath]

Part 1: Tourney Time

A. Exploring Celliwig

[As a recent arrival, it's Naomi's first time to the rather crystalline and deceptively pristine city called Celliwig and supposes she might somewhat be impressed... somewhat. It's far more magical in appearance than the typical industrial she's so used to seeing, so it's a change.]

[So, around the city the doctor would be, examining what she could and letting most of the general excitement of the tourney flow around her. Not that she would wholly object to a conversation if someone wants one, but she did seem off to occupy herself, either by looking at shops or traders' wares.]


B. Tournament Medic

[Since she isn't interested in participating in any of the fighting, cooking, or whatever else they had going on, she has stationed herself with the rest of those capable of healing or general medical aid.]

[And as your character comes in, she watches them with cool eyes, but approaches shortly to get to work.]

Part 2: Break-In

A. Late with Faebucks

[She isn't a fighter - no, she's a doctor and she'd chosen to neither offense or defense when it came to the Hall of Mirrors. She'd wait and see, and provide healing when needed, and cut off any participants when she believed they were done and needed to sit the remainder out.]

[Still, as the offensive party pushed forward, something felt... off.]


B. Hall of Mirrors (One King Too Many)

[Everything's wrong when she enters, and she chose wisely to travel with the group rather than try venturing ahead on her own. It felt like her magic was being affected in the presence of this final mirror - this Pure of Heart and Brave of Soul Mirror; and it wasn't her healing magic.]

[This isn't good; nor is the fact there were multiple King Arthurs laughing and making themselves present from the mirrors. If it was like the corridor prior, most of these would merely be copies, and the real Arthur... Dammit, again, she isn't someone who did physical combat. The nearest person who looks ready to fight would have to do.]

We need to get to that mirror. I'll provide aid with my magic, and once we get there, do your best to hold them back.


[OOC: Wanna plot a Wildcard option outside of these prompts? PM me or hit me up over on plurk: demidemonLove]

Toshirou Hijikata | Gintama

[mayoninofukucho]

Tourney Time

A ⦿ Cutthroat Cooking

[It's been a month filled with magic practice and research for Hijikata, so when there's a tournament in Celliwig it's a welcome challenge. He isn't much of a singer or sculptor, his familiar doesn't seem interested in joining the festivities, and while his comrades back home enjoy some video games in their off time he doesn't usually join them. As for the assassination game, samurai fight openly and so do knights! Naturally he'll join the meelee, being a warrior first and foremost... but there is another catagory that's calling to him.

He still remembers how his fellow Gintama stars unfairly shot down his fantastic idea to improve the series... maybe Celliwig will show his gourmet creations some more appreciation! Well: they don't. He gets eliminated in the first round. At least they let him keep the meal he made! He huffily stands at the sidelines with his plate of mayonnaise.]

There's no accounting for taste here either, huh? I should have known.

B ⦿ Melee Mania

[After half a year of lighting cigarettes and campfires with his fire magic and three months of trying to talk to ghosts despite being scared of them Hijikata really stepped it up this month. While he found knighthood to be a very individual thing rather than something that would bind him in cameraderie with Avalon's other knights he still wants to be worthy of the title, so he made serious efforts to learn to control some other elements and figure out ways to counteract malicious ghosts. Back in winter he had a lot of fun at the tournament melee in Camelot, even though he only used his sword back then, so he's burning to get started. He looks his opponent over, trying to gauge what weapons and magic they bring to the table.]

Are you ready?

C ⦿ Healing

[Damn, tournaments in Celliwig are different alright. No one really seems to care about how hard the contestants go at each other, and Hijikata can only hope that there won't be any fatalities. He learned a lot again today... with so many different magic types in the mix there are endless kinds of attacks that can be really hard to brace for, so it's all the more important that he keeps his senses sharp and his mind flexible. He makes his way to the healing area, having taken some notable damage, and looks around for anyone willing to give him a hand.]


Choose Wisely

[Hijikata isn't there to see Gwion's confrontation with Glewlwyd live, but he does see her post on AOL. By the time he makes it to the bar there's already a number of people trying to speak to her, so he's grateful when Claude's post goes up soon afterwards and fellow off-worlders share the information they gathered. Once he has an understanding of what's allegedly going on he's quick to decide that they need to interrupt the meeting. Sure, it could all be a lie, but they have far more to loose by staying inactive as far as he's concerned. As he heads towards the Hall of Mirrors he bitches a little under his breath.]

Figures that things would go south again! A place with such shitty food is bound to attract misfortune.

[Yeah, he's still not a fan of Celliwig's molecular cuisine. He needs a lot more calories than that!]


If We Naruto-Run They Can't Stop Us All

A ⦿ Battle at the Hall of Mirrors - Offence

[The scene is chaotic. A huge number of people have sided with Glewlwyd to defend the Hall of Mirrors, making their stance very clear: if the meeting is disturbed the fae of Elphame will look upon both Camelot and Celliwig with contempt, and that's the best that'll happen. Hijikata's faction really doesn't have solid proof of Gwion's claims, but damn it, they don't have time to debate about it if King Arthur may be in mortal danger! Hijikata doesn't like fighting his fellow off-worlders in earnest, but it looks like there's no other way.]

Make way!! Don't make me hurt you!

B ⦿ Mirror Image

[Maybe Hijikata doesn't even make it inside, because the battle is fierce and pretty much equal. But if he does, be it by being lucky enough to get to the door without sustaining too much damage or thanks to a healer fixing him up, he slowly moves in the darkness between the mirrors, sword and magical flame in hand, trying to track down that eerie glow that seems to be passing through the glass... until he finds his reflection. Mirror Hijikata wears a sneer on his face.]

Look at you! Are you having fun with your RPG?

What the hell?! Shut up! If you're me, then you know what it's like with these multiverse mix-ups!

Yeah, I know. Still, you've got to be damn scared if you're willing to join just any kind of force and follow any halfway decent man just so someone's keeping you on a leash. Worried that the "demon" will come out again if you stay on your own?

[It's probably a good thing that the two Hijikata's can't throw punches... or can they?]

C ⦿ Exorcism

[Okay, so it looks like what Gwion said was true. King Arthur definitely is possessed, as is the mirror. Hijikata's first impulse is to fight his way through the fake Arthurs and drive his sword into the mirror, but... he's a death magic user. He resented his secondary magic from the moment he got it, but he's been pushing himself so hard to overcome his fears, and even though he isn't deeply skilled and experienced in exorcisms yet, this is exactly what he's been reading up on lately. He's always been a swordsman and sees his primary value in his physical prowess, but shouldn't he try to help in a way that only a death mage can? It's hard for him, but he sheathes the sword and turns to the person next to him.]

Can you give me cover? I'll try to get the ghosts out.


[OOC: If you'd like any additional prompts please feel free to hit me up on my plotting post!]

cecelia ardenbury | an oc

[sighsheavily]

o1: Mirrors - offense
[egads.

things here...they always seem to explode into chaos and nonsense, don't they. at this point, Cecelia shouldn't be surprised, but she sure is irritated by this escalation.

perhaps there'll be time to berate herself and others about the hazards of acting on impulse within the abodes of fey folk, but right now is not that time. right now, one must find a way through this mess as unscathed as possible to get to that hall, and while the shortest distance between two points is a line? this'll take a bit more logistical planning to avoid being harmed.

and so: Cecelia, with the little unicorn diligently matching pace at her side, begins to emit static and lightning - becoming something of a walking ball of the stuff, which is keen to lash out and bite at those too near her person as she moves around denser patches of conflict until she comes to the last line before the entryway. only here does she stop, but only for a moment to speak.]

Kindly move. This nonsense has gone on long enough.

[that said, she will advance, flickerings of electricity bouncing here and there on her frame.]


o2: Mirrors - reflections

Sad, lost lady.

[the voice of Cecelia's reflection that tails her is more hushed and gentle, but its tone is one that puts Cecelia-proper on edge and hastens her steps. it's nothing to waste time with, she reminds herself, even though resolve is difficult to maintain when her steps bring her closer to the accusatory threat.

so it goes on, wearing a countenance of pity, honeying words that belie barbed accusation:] Giving up all hope of love and lasting happiness, pretending that investing your heart and soul into the Mission will fill that which you've left empty.

Even the angels knew this was cruelty, yet still you insisted.

[Cecelia, irritably:] Treading old ground, ah. You are nothing new; kindly move.

[the reflection smiles sadly.] Nothing you do matters here, dear lady. No one is here who will care, because you no longer know how to let yourself be cared for.

[here, now, Cecelia stands nearly nose-to-nose with this figment, glaring with a smoldering fury that she does not bother to keep checked behind a stony countenance. yet before she can rebuke the figment, she finds that its hand is already on her cheek, and she can no longer speak, no longer move.]

You never wanted to be alone, yet alone is exactly what you have chosen. Therefore... [the reflection draws itself out of the glass to wrap its arms around Cecelia to pull her in.]

mirrors

[sighsheavily]

Stuff and nonsense.

[Cecelia speaks brusquely, like a put-upon school matron, as she bustles on through the hall and comes across this scene. she huffs quietly, still trying to shake off the adrenaline of having to make her way through here by force; she's not a melee combatant, you know!

but talking? sure. she can talk. talk, critique, berate, rebuke...yeah.

with a note of exasperation in her tone:] Come now, is this really the time?

Harry Potter | Harry Potter

[phoenixwiz]

⚔️Melee Mania
(When he learns that there is an open opportunity to use magic in a contest, Harry is pretty excited to go for it and show everyone he has got. As he looks at the crowd getting pumped, he takes a deep breath and turns to the person behind him, hoping that they’ll play well.)

Hey, um, are you ready for this?

💫Familiar Feud
(It is Rose’s turn to shine in this contest as Harry lets her to play with other familiars ready to duke it out. He is just hoping that she doesn’t get too hurt though as he watches her scampers into the arena, squeaking and waiting for her opponent.)

Okay, Rose. Just give it your best and try not to get yourself hurt too much.

(Rose squeaks up to her master as she braces for what lies ahead. He is hoping that nothing bad will happen to her and her opponent in the fight.)

🥷Breaking the Naruto Run (Defensive)
(The moment he hears that about the rumor regarding trouble for King Arthur, Harry is pretty suspicious of the woman who spread it: time is still frozen, so what’s the point of her visions now? He is not convinced by her words, but at the same time, he wants to support the talks between Arthur and Elphame, so he decides to volunteer to help the bearded old man in guard duty so no one can disturb the talks.

When he notices some of the people rallying to save the King, Harry is hoping to talk some sense to the people and tell them that she is lying to them this entire time. He is currently trying to tell the person on Gwion’s side to stop: he hates having to fight with someone when they can civilly discuss it among themselves, but as he has remembered from the many fights he was involved in back home, he knows that it’s only a matter of time before he has to push back.)

🪞Dangerous Reflections
(So the offensive side decides to break into the Hall and now Harry has to chase after them inside. He is running as fast as he can to find them, but he is also stunned to see how twisted and corrupted the Hall has become. The young wizard isn’t sure how it happened, but he wants to get to the bottom of this mess quickly while finding the people breaking in.

So he is running down the hallway when he notices something weird with the reflection of his on a mirror: smirking at him devilishly. Ho boy, this is going to suck.)

🎲Wildcard
(Got a different prompt to play with? Put them down in the comments below. You can contact me at mariscorner or on Discord at Mariposa21 #4257. My plotting comment can be found in here.)

Post Melee Mania (closed to Din)

[phoenixwiz]

(Well, that was a good fight he has put up, though he isn’t sure if he has won it or not. Regardless, he did have a good time in it and everyone else did well too, so he isn’t complaining.

He just came out of the arena to take a breather with Rose and Hedwig on a bench and they all watched the people passing by while he was having some snacks. Soon enough, he will be turning 18 by the month’s end and it does make him feel amazed to know that he will live long to see that day come, considering what he has been through so far.)

Monika || Doki Doki Literature Club

[peninhand]

I/ Vicious Vocals

a) Your Reality
[ Monika is sitting by a piano when her turn comes. She looks a bit nervous at first. Considering how skilled some of the people participating are, she doesn't really have any hopes of winning. But still, she is aiming to do her very best. And so, as soon as she turns her attention to the audience and starts speaking, all of the anxiety and stress fades away. It is just a very very fragile facade, of course. She's practiced quite a lot to keep her cool today. ]

Um, hey everyone! So, that's a song I wrote back home. It's not anything special, but I hope you'll like it. [She smiles sweetly and turns her attention back to the piano.] It's called Your Reality.

[ She takes a deep breath, before starting to play the piano and sing. ]

Every day I imagine a future where I can be with you~𝅘𝅥𝅮
In my hand is a pen that will write a poem of me and you~𝅘𝅥
The inks flows down into a dark puddle~𝅘𝅥𝅮
Just move your hand — write the way into his heart~!
But in this world of infinite choices~𝅘𝅥
What will it take just to find that special day~?
What will it take just to find... that special day...?

[ She continues, the song taking around three minutes to complete.

Once she is done, she beams and bows to the audience before stepping down the stage. Anyone can approach her at that point— Someone with acute eyes may notice she seems to be a bit teary-eyed, but she's doing her very best to hide it. ]

b) Stage Fright
[ While on stage, Monika manages to keep up a pretty good facade of confidence. Between rounds though? That's another story altogether. She is doing breathing exercises to try and calm herself down. And it works, to an extent. She knows all the tricks to keep calm and fake confidence. The problem is actually putting those tricks into practice. ]

Gosh, why did I sign up...? [She sighs.] I'm just going to make a fool of myself, aren't I?

[ She has experience, she's been practicing piano and singing— But as a hobby, nothing more. Her singing more so, she'd never intended for anyone to hear hear sing asides from the player. Yet here she is. She tries smiling if anyone's eyes meet with hers, but it's obviously a very forced and nervous smile. ]

II/ Just Mirror Monika
[ Monika hadn't picked any sides. But when the people broke through, she followed after a little while. Out of curiosity but especially out of concern for the safety of the people she had befriended. She didn't like at all being surrounded by mirrors so, but still. She followed the glow, figuring it may lead her to where everyone was, but then suddenly she heard her own voice speaking loudly and strongly. ]

Yay, we've finally reached our happy ending! No more literature club, no more members, no more game! It's just us now, in a world of infinite possibilities.

[ Monika gasped and immediately stared at her reflection in the mirror. The way it spoke and with the echo, it would be easy for anyone to hear everything the reflection had to say, even if they were a way off still. ]

What...?

Mhm? Are you going to say you'd like for them to be here? They're not even alive, right? So why do you care? Just find a boyfriend or girlfriend now, and it'll all be perfect~! Who cares for stupid NPCs in a video game? You!?

[ The reflection laughed cruelly and Monika opted to turn away. That was a trick of this place, that much was obvious. So long as she ignored it and walked away, everything would be fine. She tired walking away— ]

And if there was a way to bring them here, you'd still rather they remain dead, wouldn't you? [Upon hearing this, Monika froze.] Ahaha! I hit a nerve, huh? I'll tell you why. That's because you're a monstrous, horrible creature deep down. You're a selfish monster who'd rather be happy than be a good person. Do your new friends know you should never be trusted? Did you tell them you're a murderer? A heartless, cruel and evil sociopath?

[ Static appeared all over the mirror, and the reflection changed, her smile crueler than ever. ]

You did not because you know they'd hate you. [The reflection extended a hand, breaking out of the mirror. Soon the entire upper half of the reflection had taken physical form, while the lower half remained within the mirror.] You know you deserve their hatred, and you know you're even more horrible for not facing their wrath. What a pathetic and worthless excuse of a person you've become! [With that said, the reflection wrapped both her arms around the real Monika. She was still facing away from the mirror, but she looked far too miserable and horrified to even try struggling.] Video game monsters don't deserve happy endings! They should be deleted~!

[ The reflection started pulling to take the real Monika into the mirror— And would succeed, unless someone stopped her before it was too late. ]

B

[inemeraldfaith]

[It wasn't so long ago that Aerith had visited the previous tournament. Finding herself at another one is almost surreal. If only because it reminds her of how long she's been in Camelot. As she did with the first, she's not participating in any of the competitions herself (save the singing one, which she's kept under wraps for the sake of surprise), but she's very willing to pay visit to those she knows will be involved here and there.

That includes one Zidane.

Maybe all of that training at the grounds will pay off. She arrives right on the scene, big of smile, and palpable enthusiasm.]

Are you all ready, Zidane? You've got this!

Claude von Riegan | Fire Emblem: Three Houses

[leicesters]

1. hall of mirrors - offense
[Claude had hoped for a slightly less direct approach to getting into the Hall of Mirrors than a full-scale battle, but it seems the stubbornness of the fae and the emergency situation both mean battle is unavoidable. The fighting is too close-quarters to use his bow, but he's no slouch with a blade, either, battling his way through -- though trying to disable his enemies with nonlethal injuries or curses if he can avoid striking them down.

They're on the same side, after all, even if it doesn't seem that way right now.]

Just step aside already! Fae customs don't mean a thing if they all die in there!


2. hall of mirrors - reflection
[Managing to slip through the line by cloaking himself in shadow magic and with only a few minor wounds, Claude makes it through into the Hall of Mirrors. Instantly, he can tell something isn't right from the way his breath fogs in front of him in the chill of the room. Still holding his blade in preparation for an ambush, he lifts his shadow magic, making his way through the hall.

A blue glow flitting through the mirrors distracts him, and he glances across at it.] Merlin? Or -- a spooky ghost friend? Don't suppose you've seen Arthur around here, have you? [The glow seems to flit ahead as if indicating to follow, leading him deeper and deeper into the hall, until one of his reflections stops, and sheathes its sword, smiling with Claude's face and speaking with that same voice, casual as anything:]

Hey there, handsome. How about we stop and chat for a while? You look tense.

[The real Claude is rolling his eyes to turn away, having expected something like this, but the reflection is still talking.] Of course, you should feel tense! What are the odds you're helping lead people to their dooms today? Screw things up here, and you can kiss Fódlan, Almyra, and all your dreams goodbye. [Claude's trying not to let his reflection get under his skin, but he'd been so focused on following that glow here that he's lost track of where he is. If he can just ignore it... He looks around for the way through, while the reflection continues with a sigh--] Ah, right. Of course you don't want to talk to me. Under that fake smile of yours, you hate the idea of anyone seeing the real you.


3. battle royal
[Once that's finally out of the way and they reach the Pure of Heart and Brave of Soul mirror, finally they've found what they came for. But of course it's not that simple as more and more Arthurs emerge from the mirror.]

Do we have anyone here with death magic? We need to deal with the mirror!

[In the meantime Claude will help hold off the Arthurs, crossing blades with one and tossing a binding hex on another. They need to finish this, before the real thing gets hurt.]


4. wildcard
[If you'd like to do more lighthearted tournament stuff Claude will be spectating rather than taking part, but I'm still up for suggestions! If you tag prompt 1, I'd preferably like to thread against a defender to keep things interesting. For more specific plotting, feel free to pm me or shoot me a message at moonsilver/moonsilver#4734.]

Azul Ashengrotto | Twisted Wonderland | CW: body issues, possible discussion of ED, bullying

[dottedline]

Tourney -- Cooking

[A contest where he gets to cook and also sabotage people? Sign Azul the hell up. Never mind that the only time he really does anything in the kitchen is when he needs to experiment with new menu items (or Floyd's being pissy and is demanding one of the recipes from the Ashengrotto's ristorante), this sort of thing is his jam.

And so Azul spends a good portion of the day at the cooking tournament, churning out various dishes and absolutely using every chance he gets to sabotage his opponents. He is absolutely going to get revenge-sabotaged and he knows it.

Come at him. Or come try the non-judged portions, he's made plenty. (Honestly more than plenty. Mama Ashengrotto did not teach her son how to make small portions.)]

Familiar Feud

[After the cooking tournament, Azul's familiar wanted to play! For Azul, this meant being dragged into the Familiar Feud tourney very much against his will.

Azul's poor oceanid is beaten in the first round and is sobbing, clinging to her human like a limpet. Azul just sighs as he heads off, digging out his wallet.]

I warned you, Coral. [Sobbing louder. More sighs.] If I didn't know better I'd say you lost specifically so I'd have to buy you a treat...

Mirrors -- Defense

[He doesn't even want to do this. This isn't his concern, this is Celliwig's and Camelot's!

But he just happened to be nearby and. Well.

You're probably feeling a sudden pain in your knee or side, even if nothing hit you. Those shadows don't look too good, either.]

You really want to sabotage everything you did to get here, don't you?

[Azul prepares to cast another (small) spell...and if you come at him, he may just whack you with his cane. He brought that today.]

Mirrors -- Cursed -- CW: body issues, possible discussion of disordered eating, bullying

[Oh fuck this.

Azul watches as his reflection stops moving in time with him, and a vague shadow seems to form behind him. He's perfectly still, but anyone watching can see that he is terrified as the reflection starts to speak.]

Honestly, I'm surprised you even looked in this mirror. Haven't you been avoiding them since middle school? Too afraid to look in the mirror and see that stupid, slow, fat octopus staring back at you! Too afraid that everything you've worked for will be lost, and Jade and Floyd will go back to the sea and just leave you all alone again!

[Deep breaths, Azul. This is nothing he hasn't heard before. The reflection laughs.]

Are you going to cry again? You haven't cried since those idiot first years and Kingscholar destroyed all your precious--

[Maybe someone wants to stop him before he attacks the mirror.]

2.

[sereneadherent]

Quiet, you.

[Marianne's tone is more far more forceful than normal, her gaze stern and fixated on the Claude in the mirror.

She knows more about Claude than most, although she's positive there's much and more he hasn't told her. That doesn't matter. He has a dream, and the ambition to see it through, and Goddess knows the entirety of the Deer have their issues. Who is she to judge his, especially after he's done so much to help her and the others?

Marianne trusts him. It's as simple as that.]

Are you all right, Claude?

[Her tone with the actual Claude is, of course, as gentle as ever.]

[tantailizing]

[Tournaments could be great fun, but again, not if they're involuntary fighters. In this case though, it was for fun, but there was also a question of what are the full rules.]

[Eh, they can just figure them out through the day.]

[Looking over at Aerith, he grins and nods.]

Heck yeah! Dunno who I'm fighting yet, but I'm ready!

izumi tachibana × a3! × light / bargaining | lioness

[currysseur]

— silent assassin.

( paintball guns are different to the guns she practiced with at the festival stalls, but not by much. Izumi tests the weight in her hands, wraps her fingers around the trigger, remembers countless hours of practicing until she could knock down every single target at the stall.

today she gets to play the role she practiced for, in a manner of speaking. a taciturn sniper, minus the taciturn part. (she didn't exactly get very good reviews for her "taciturn" acting anyway.)

it's kind of thrilling. like paintball with the added aspect of hunting out the real competitors from among the crowd of spectators and other contestants. and despite herself, Izumi is all smiles as she sets off into the fray, the spirit of fun rather than victory driving her movements. she sticks close to walls, and knows to duck out of lines of sight, but she's not really trying too hard to avoid other competitors. so it's pretty easy to get dragged into a shootout with her, or maybe try to forge an alliance? she's a good shot, but no super soldier, and she's not trying to be. she's just a girl here to have fun. )

— the hall of mirrors.

( however Izumi manages to make it past the battle going on outside (light magic, most likely), she steps into something that immediately has her shivering. it's so damn cold, so strangely dark that even Miho, as she prowls up next to her bonded human, startles Izumi. everything about this place is wrong, deeply strange, in a way that — were she less terrified — would serve some good inspiration for potential future sets and backgrounds of their plays.

but she breathes, reminds herself that she chose to be here because someone's in danger and even she — as boring and unremarkable a human as she is — was conscripted to save this place. so she has to do something, right? so she walks on, steps slow and arms tightly folded in on herself, as much to keep whatever remnants of warmth she can hold onto as it is to feel more secure. she walks until she finds herself in a mirror, identical in outfit and appearance, but all wrong.

for one thing, the Izumi in the mirror is relaxed, her arms by her sides and a smile on her face that doesn't reach her eyes. )

It took you long enough! I was beginning to think you left me like dad left you.

( and when she speaks, she goes straight for the jugular. )

I guess that's to be expected though, right? Tachibanas running away. You did it too, didn't you?

— wildcard.

( want something else? hit me up! she'll be watching other events, and is happy to chat to anyone! feel free to contact me at exits / exits#8071 if you wanna work something out. )

Healing

[babygotbackstroke]

Hijikata-san!

[Makoto is looking a little worn out as he had been helping with the healing but seeing a familiar face looking rather beat up definitely made him forget his own fatigue as he made his way over.]

Here, have a seat and tell me where the worst of it is.

[He had to agree, he sincerely hoped no fatalities were going to happen. He wasn’t sure his heart could take it but not only that but some of the wounds he had already seen did seem to be a bit serious!]

Marianne von Edmund | Fire Emblem: Three Houses

[sereneadherent]

I. Familiar Feud (the lighthearted option)


[Pippin had insisted on entering the familiar fighting tournament despite the fact that he's a robin that's lacking in any sort of fighting ability. Unless someone happens to have a small insect for a familiar, he doesn't stand a chance. Marianne can't help but wonder if this is meant to be a lesson for her, since his sole purpose in life seems to be to get her out of her own comfort zone, or if he's just being remarkably dense and bull-headed. Could go either way, with him.

Regardless of his motives, he plays with her hair a bit as reassurance before he flies off into the ring for his bout. Marianne sighs heavily as she watches him go.]

(feel free to either have your familiar come curbstomp an overconfident bird, or stand with Marianne while she watches said bird get curbstomped, or both!)


II. Hall of Mirrors (the heavy option)

tw: suicidal ideation and a hint of body horror

[Marianne had been among those storming the Hall of Mirrors, following alongside Claude and several others in the attempt. Once inside, however, she ends up turned around and lost within the mirror maze until she comes head to head with a version of herself that she would rather not confront. The woman in the reflection is sadder and more tired, with dark circles under her eyes and a pallid complexion. When she speaks, her voice is hardly more than a whisper.]

"You're still cursed, you know. Still a monster, doomed to bring misfortune to everyone around you."

[The words cut deep, and Marianne takes a half-step back defensively. It would almost be better if the reflection had screamed at her, given her the rush of adrenaline necessary to deny it. This quiet, resigned tone makes everything sound much more true.]

"Not even the Goddess wanted you. How many times did you pray to die, to be released from your suffering and find peace at her side? And yet, here you are. Alive. Ignored. Abandoned.

A monster."

[Marianne shrinks further.]

N-no... you're wrong...

"I'm not."

[The woman in the mirror closes her eyes and starts to change, her body twisting and convulsing until she takes a monstrous form that makes Marianne's blood run cold.

It lunges forward, and Marianne screams.]

II

[gunmettle]

[ After stumbling around the maze and clanking his barrel on more mirrors than he’d care to admit, at last Juzo comes across another sign of life. A familiar face, even, though it’s clear pretty quickly that Marianne’s attention is elsewhere – on the reflection of herself. The reflection’s tone is quiet but in the near silence of this corner of the maze, he can’t help but overhear.

Monster, huh? He’s not so sure about that.

The reflection decides to take it literally, and it’s ultimately the scream that spurs Juzo into motion. He’s there before he realizes it, one arm wrapping around Marianne to pulls her to his chest as he puts himself between her and the creature. He stays like that a moment, stock-still waiting for the sound of shattering glass and the sting of claws digging into his back, but it never comes. The monster is confined to the mirror, at least for now.

He eases up a bit, looking down. ]

You okay?

[leicesters]

Don't listen to him, Marianne. We know what kind of tricks this place likes to pull.

[The only trace of evidence that he might be bothered is the slight tension in his jaw, but he's trying to stay focused. Easier said than done, as even when his back is turned, his reflection is still talking, casually leaning against the frame of the mirror. Its smile belies the venom in the reflection's words.]

You're surprised Marianne even followed you this far, aren't you? How about the rest of the Golden Deer? Doesn't it feel great knowing that any of them could die on your watch? But hey, they're all just disposable tools you can toss away when you leave Fódlan anyway.

[Claude's eyes flash in anger, but he's still pointedly not looking at him or acknowledging him.] Which way did we come from again?

weh ;_;

[sereneadherent]

[Marianne puts up no resistance when Juzo pulls her in, although she trembles like a leaf in his hold. What follows is a prolonged silence, only broken when Juzo shifts from defending to checking up on her.

The entire time, Marianne's eyes never leave those of the monster in the mirror. Of who she really is.]

You should keep your distance from me.

[A part of her, deep within, cringes at the statement. It's been quite some time since she's felt this way. She thought she had conquered her fear, defeated the Beast, but yet... here it is, staring her down and daring her to deny its presence.

She finds that she cannot. Suddenly, she feels like a lost teenage girl again.]

That's me in the mirror. I-I could... I'll just hurt you if you stay. Please, just go.

Machi Kuragi | Fruits Basket | Elementary / Green + Kitsune Familiar

[imperfectwish]

[I] CUTTHROAT COOKING;

[... Why had she agreed to participate again? It's near the end of the competition and Machi is standing in a plain light blue apron in front of what looks like a fairly passable curry. It's heavily simplistic and the vegetables aren't uniformly chopped but it doesn't look dangerously bad. She's actually decently proud of the outcome everything considered.

However once she deigns to taste her own creation -- oof, the tears in her eyes. Even the ever hungry and curious black kitsune Mugetsu has his muzzle all wrinkled up and is snorting up a storm near Machi's feet.

See the curry isn't bad. It tastes fine actually, not mind-blowing but definitely inoffensive on first taste. Then the taste sets in and apparently the spiciness? Cranked up to eleven or so.

This is what one gets from someone with a Green ability who is equally as green in using it -- randomly over-spiced food.]

[II] MARIO PARTY;

[Machi looks just a little bit tired out. She's holding an energy drink delicately between her two hands.]

I never knew video games could be so taxing...

[Can you tell she doesn't play them that often? And after the cooking debacle she's been at it all day because she's just that determined to master all of the games. That's a futile task though it seems.

Even her black kitsune familiar Mugetsu hangs limply around her shoulders just snoozing away.]

[III] HALL OF MIRRORS;

[Machi shouldn't have come. There was a group, yes, but honestly she had only come to hear Gwion out or... she wasn't sure really. Maybe she wanted to be of help too? Her grasp on this elemental magic she had wasn't particularly strong yet but much like when the cleaning items ran amok Machi can't quite bring herself to ignore what's going on.

Just when she considers turning back she naturally can't find the exit again even if it should be right behind them. The blue light is so prevalent, highlighting the edges of the many mirrors here and the people as well. Her attention is caught by the blue glow and like many she begins trailing it's movements from mirror to mirror. Is it trying to lead them to any one mirror in particular? She knows little about the mirrors themselves and with the group becoming slowly scattered she ends up more or less alone until --]

Because you've already ignored so much?

[At that the teenager pauses in her steps, hands clenched together near her chest. The image reflected back isn't all that different from her honestly, though the expression her mirror self is so much more... lifeless.

Machi's mouth goes dry for a moment. Was this part of that eerie blue glow?]

[IV] WILDCARD

[Feel free to drop any other prompts you think of here! Also hit me up via PMs or on plurk @ goodluckstarfighter if you need to plot or have any questions.]

Cooking

[beautyrest]

My goodness! You've made a veritable feast! [Aurora had thought to participate in the cooking contest but while she deeply enjoyed cooking, she enjoyed it at her pace. She had no desire to feel rushed. She also wasn't sure how judges intended to judge endlessly different types of dishes. But she could at least come to cheer others on.]

There are so many dishes here.

[sereneadherent]

Right.

[She sounds a touch unsure, if only because the Claude in the mirror is so insistent on making sure he's heard. There's something that catches her ear--"when you leave Fódlan anyway"--but she merely tenses in response to it and files it away to ask him about later. Now isn't the time nor the place, and there may not be anything to it anyway. And even if it is true, she's ready to forgive him for it. How else is he going to break the barriers of the world if he doesn't approach it from multiple sides?

Marianne takes Claude's hand and holds it tightly. It's a gesture meant to comfort and ground him, and plausibly deniable enough that he might actually allow it.]

I believe that way, from the east. At least, I think it's the east.

[dottedline]

I don't know what the judges are going to like best, and there's no rules saying I can't make multiple dishes, so why not cover my bases?

[Also it's kind of fun, but he won't admit that.]

kate galloway × original × kinetic / blood | bean nighe

[morns]

— melee mania.

fighting
( most of these events don't really do it for her. she's a terrible singer, and has never crafted a single thing in her life. she hasn't touched Mario Party in years, cooking sounds like hell and her familiar couldn't be less interested in fighting.

but a chance to stretch her own muscles? she'll take that. this whole tournament just sounds like extended sparring and a chance to make use of her magic in combat-like situations, and that's as good a reason as any to sign up. her gun stays behind, cast aside for less deadly but still trusted throwing knives and kinetic magic.

it's no surprise to her that the competition is stacked. she's been here long enough to know that there are people from far more grandiose worlds than her own, people with countless years more combat experience than herself, but she has confidence in her magic skills and no injuries to speak of right now.

those are their own kinds of advantages, so when she steps into a fight, she's calm, watching her opponent as they both enter, sizing them up as she walks towards them. perhaprs there's a glint of recognition at a familiar face, or perhaps she's fighting a stranger, but ultimately the outcome is the same — facing each other down as she flexes her fingers, curling her hands into fists and releasing them, feeling Avalon's magic deep inside her, ready to break free.

this will be fun. )

aftermath
( whether win or lose, the fight certainly doesn't leave her unscarred. but it's a good kind of ache and pain, the one that comes with exertion and accomplishment. she gave as good as she got, and learned some new stuff in the process.

so Kate isn't opposed to waiting for her opponent, or helping them back, whatever the case may be, and heading to find healers together. )

Impressive work.

( it was a worthwhile experience, if you ask her. )

healing
You mind?

( whichever healer she's walked up to certainly doesn't look busy, so she doesn't bother to ask. there's a fight's worth of scrapes and bruises she needs dealing with, thank you. there's little point in beating around the bush any further, right? )

— silent assassin.

( this?

oh this is what she was made for. trained for. this should be easy. she wastes no time in finding a high spot, using kinetic magic to fly herself and her paintball gun up to a peak with a nice view, looking over the lay of the land, the milling of people back and forth as they head from one event to the next. it would be an ideal spot to shoot from, but for one problem:

from this high, she has no way to identify which people are participants in the contest, bodycams too small to be reliably identified. but she stays up long enough to note the layout, to mentally map what could be useful before she heads down into an alleyway in a quick teleporting blink, slowly allowing herself to open a path to her ability to sense nearby presences with blood magic.

and not a moment too soon, clearly, as someone comes up behind her, and ends up face to face with the business end of a paintball gun.

she isn't shooting. yet. you got a cam on you? )

— wildcard.

( hit me up with anything else! she'll be observing the other competitions mostly to try and find fellow assassins and won't be at the hall of mirrors, but aside from that! i'm at exits / exits#8071 if you wanna hash anything specific out. )

juzo inui ⦿ no guns life ⦿ closed starters

[gunmettle]