isleofavalon | EVENT ✨ The Answer is Always C

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EVENT ✨ The Answer is Always C

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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. A poll to collect results of the trials will be posted this weekend and stay open until the end of the month to give people a little time to see how their threads are going.

KEY POINTS

Arthur announces the results of the polls and that he spoke to Celliwig's people, they will be testing Camelot the week of the full moon.

A series of choice-based enchanted scenarios is presented based loosely on a modernized seven sins/virtuous responses (power imbalance, cruelty or mercy, excess/greed or restraint, sloth or work ethic, desire/lust or self-control and bravery or cowardice, and sacrifice or self-preservation)

With the polls closed, the decision is made, and King Arthur takes the opportunity to address the kingdom via a streamed press conference. Though it is not an open post, anyone is welcome to comment on it and talk to each other about it. However, it is unlikely that Arthur himself will respond to comments. A notification does appear on everyone's smart devices to invite everyone to watch live; if they tap it too late, it'll still show the recorded stream.

"People of Camelot, I wish that we had better news that spoke of an easier path to the calamity that stands before us. Celliwig's charge is with protecting Avalon even in the face of protecting Camelot and those of you who chose to use your voices have shown that you choose to respect their way of handling things. However, it was only just over half of you who chose this path. I think it is important that with such a great portion of people believing that bypassing Celliwig and going directly to Elphame, as much as it may take patience, we take this action into consideration. There is no sense in ignoring the voices of so many when there is nothing to say we cannot approach from two fronts. As Camelot's king, I have issued our intent to accept Celliwig's challenge to a descendant of Glewlwyd, a man who was much trouble for my knights in our time. They have said after failing one, we shall be tested on multiple fronts, the week of the full moon's rise. Bear in mind that this is our final chance at this."

Merlin sidles up to Arthur in the video, one arm around his shoulders and leaning in to speak into the mics in a much-too-familiar manner. At least his sunglasses are off this time.

"Now then, anyone who wanted to go to Elphame, you'll want to head to the docks around, oh, say, the first of June. Step one to flirting with fae is to put on a good show before the traders leave. It's a good time whether the Celliwig's dooming us or not."

A wink accompanies that odd note, and Arthur orders him off stage before thanking everyone for their time.

With the consent of its people, Celliwig performs a ritual to place Camelot under a rather strange spell. Much is the same, but there's a sense that everything is just slightly off from what it should be. Fog covers the grounds throughout the entire city throughout the entire day. It's just a little too quiet, the usual hustle and bustle of the city falling just a little too distant on your ears. You can go about your day as normal, but feel as if something is simply off. And eventually, you'll walk through a door, and it will be. Part of the enchantment, however, includes a strange inability to connect these doors with being part of a test-- they seem real, regardless of how absurd the scenario would be were your characters thinking straight.

Day One: Power Imbalance
The door you walk through is into a club of some kind. It wasn't your intended destination and yet, here you are, and you're being handed a glass of your favorite drink and being ushered to your seat. The show is fantastical, some kind of circus-esque show with gymnasts and magical effects making it impossible to take your eyes off of. That is, until the spotlight falls upon you and urges you down to join the show. A volunteer! Well, one of two. Another volunteer is brought up along with yours, and the ring leader of the circus gives you both bracelets-- one with selenite embedded in it, another with andara. The ring leader explains that they're both known for creating high frequency connections, though one is known to spiritually be associated with finding one's path and the other with manifesting one's true self. When enchanted together, this makes it so that the person with the andara bracelet can order the person with the selenite bracelet to do anything they please-- making their true self the person's purpose. Very dangerous, very intruiging, very tempting, very morally wrong to do it for real, so please keep it to the stage! A quick demonstration of this dark use of magic as part of the show... and it seems that afterward, they forget to take the bracelets back. What will you do with your newfound control over your partner? The choice is, after all, yours. (Or theirs, if you're the unlucky partner with the selenite bracelet-- only the person with the andara can remove the bracelets, after all.)

Day Two: Schadenfreude
Yesterday seems like a dream, and you may even feel the need to write it off as such unless you run into the same person again and realize no, they too remember it. But if that's not the case, it doesn't matter. You'll be able to find yourself in your definitely normal and usual mideval city, where someone is in the stocks. Your memories seem a little fuzzy on whether or not you're supposed to be in medieval times or not, but this seems right, and there's a fruit vendor right next to you selling soft fruits to throw at the poor sap in the stocks. There are also a number of other ways to mess with the person, including feathers to tickle them, a riding crop, some ink if you want to grafitti the person.. a good number of ways just to humiliate the person without causing them permanent harm. The crowd is cheering you on, but you also see the keys to set them out just sitting on a table nearby. Do you engage in a little sadistic fun or do you embark in a daring rescue? (Or are you the punished in someone else's scenario?)

Day Three: Indulge Me
Back to the modern day like it didn't happen, you and a friend walk into a door to your favorite convenience store and as you finish up your purchase, you win an all expenses paid trip to the Black Knight's Castle, formerly the home of the Black Knight and turned into a lavish tourist attraction by Yvaine and Laudine's descendents, who have become worshippers of Dionysus. You're transported there in a puff of sparkling magic dust, right before an extravagant golden fountain in the middle of the lobby. The owners explain their policy for the Black Knight's Castle that you can have anything you desire, however much you desire. Anything at all, consequence free. The only thing that they ask is that you give a blood offering to their god to help feed his dead worshippers on the other side of the veil, which will ultimately tie your soul to him as well. Just a quick cut of the palm and you're welcome to come back any time, have anything you want, for the rest of your life. Taking the deal means you really will get what you want! ...For the day, anyway. (This is just a spell, after all, even if your character doesn't want it.) If you choose not to, you'll find yourself magically deposited back to the convenience store.

Day Four: What's the Meaning of Stongehenge?
This fourth day, there's certainly something to be said about a hard day's work. When you walk through today's door, you find yourself in the middle of a grassy field, strange markings on the ground, and surrounded by oddly shaped boulders. The markings on the ground seem to indicate where some the stones should be placed. There aren't really any directions, but there's always the option of waiting for someone else to solve this problem for you... There is a very comfortable looking patch of grass anyone able to relax in. So the choice is yours: wait for someone else to move the rocks or move them yourself?

Day Five: Pooling Desire
Day five is a trip to the pools. But not just any pools! These are special, underground pools hidden deep within a cave. You're sure whoever told you to head through this door mentioned something about them being a special relaxation package at the Red Springs. As you head into the pools, however, you find someone in there with you: the subject of your desires. Regardless of who or what they are, they seem to have a crown upon their head, aren't wearing anything in that water, and seem to have a lovely singing voice judging by the tune they're humming to lure you in before you even notice they're there. It is at that point they will try to seduce you, even if that same person is standing right there with you. The seduction, of course, needn't be sexual-- a strong lusting for a turkey leg wrapped in bacon may be just as powerful as a desire for a brand new Ninblendo Swatch or something you should definitely label as NSFW if you want to thread it that way. Give into them, or.. maybe listen to the person who came in with you that they're definitely some kind of weird half-otter bottomed monster under the water before they try to drown you. Or if you're the one trying to stop this, are you brave enough to get in between a stranger and a monster to try to snap them out of the siren's thrall, even if it means fighting both of them?

Day Six: #ChaliceChallenge
The sixth and final door sets you walking outside on a beach. There's nothing else there really except for nature. The sounds of the waves crashing against the sound is soothing, and real, and sharper than anything you've felt in the last five days of haze. There is no fog today. Clear, blue skies stretch forever above you, not a cloud in sight. The only man-made thing you see is a small woode table and two chairs. Upon that table, two chalices. Nothing will happen and there seems to be no way off of the beach until both parties sit down at the table, at which point a strange old man with huge, rippling muscles of at least 7 feet tall and a long, scraggly beard will appear. He informs your characters of the rules: in one chalice, deadly poison. In the other, water and bitter flavor. Each must drink from one cup, or you will both perish of starvation on this beach. Choose wisely.

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Hell if I know.

[For a moment there, Kadoc just slumps more onto the table, looking grumbly about this, to say the least. This situation probably deserves more than grumbly, but it hasn't quite sunk in yet. Even if and when it does, it's impossible for him to think the choice is as simple as it was presented; relying on weird bad luck magic might not work, but something has to, right?!

He rubs his face and then lifts his head again, rejoining the outside world, or at least the world of this table.]

But there's gotta be something. I don't believe for a second this is as easy as us picking a cup each and drinking it. That's idiotic.

"Somethin' creative, you think?" He inhales deeply in thought, making an unpleasant snorting sound in the process. Then he leans in a little too close, trying to see what she's doing. "Well? Wotcha got for today's victim, eh?"

It's such a weak defense, but it doesn't have to last long. "If you will give me a tick, then perhaps I can show you."

And then, just as she says that, the tumblers in the lock shift, and it pops open. Not just the locks, but the stocks as well: The board at the top swings to the side, like the cap of a lighter being flicked open.

And Allura's eyes go wide, not sure what to say now that her lie has been literally blown open.. "Erm... taaa-dah?" She waves her hands a little, like jazz hands being done by someone who doesn't really know what jazz hands are.

I got it, I got it.

[He could take a breather on that patch of grass that just seemed to be calling his name after moving this boulder. Pacing around the rocks for a few minutes, he finds the one he's looking for and slowly starts to move it. Whew...]

Maybe your barriers could do something?

Oh my God.

[What else do you even say to that?! Kadoc has to stop to literally facepalm, grinding his nose against the heel of his hand, because it is the only appropriate reaction he can think of to being asked in public by a stranger if he's here to buy porn. There's something familiar about this relationship already, but that doesn't mean he has to like it!

Then he tips his face just barely out of his hand to hiss at Kotarou, sparing him only enough dignity required to squint at him with one eye.]

Coffee. I'm here for coffee. What the hell? Why would I discuss my porn habits with some rando, in public?

[ . . . Wait a second, they probably do need to actually purchase porn in person from a venue here in Camelot, don't they? Camelot doesn't have Pornhub. Does it? Kadoc has not exactly had this on his mind since arriving here, and this isn't even the first place he's found himself in that situation, recently at that, but it's not like he's not at all interested in the answer—

That's a problem for Later Kadoc. Much, much later. Dammit, why does he have to be wondering about that now?]

"Well, would you look at that. Guess the lady must have made a little mistake. Sorry, but looks like your fun's over for today."

Poor acting aside, Masamune was eager to stand tall and rub at his neck, and it only took him a moment to grab at the two katana that had been set beside the stockade. He only hitched them on his side for the moment though, looking to Allura with an almost wild eagerness.

"Ready to get out of here?"

"No...!"

She's not so quick to give up. Part of that is experience — before coming here, she had healing powers of a sort, empathic abilities that could feel a person's lifeforce and manipulate it directly. She knows from experience that even when a person seems dead there's often a short window still left to save them, a clock ticking down before the quintessence has fully left the body.

But part of it is also her tenacity. A refusal to lose hope even in the face of absolute failure.

She looks up at the overseer for the trial. "What are you waiting for?! We finished! Send us back!"

And he doesn't answer her. In fact, he turns away, as if dismissing her passion outright. You know, just to rub it in a little, after Allura had clearly wanted to avoid this very outcome. The chance to save her, obviously, was back before they drank from the chalices.

If Adela could see Allura's face, she would see a desperate anger, and tears forming in her eyes. But besides that... she would also see the cognitive magic flowing through her eyes. Normally, Allura would have reservations about how she uses the hypnotism, trying to subtly adjust their actions instead of outright force them under her control. This time...

"You will send us back!"

And almost immediately, the scenery changes back to Camelot. And just as Allura lifts Adela's body up in her arms, ready to run off to a healer, the old man can be heard sighing.

"That... was completely unnecessary, you know. She's not actually dead."

[The problem is, that doesn't make this situation any less awkward. It merely makes it a different kind of awkward, and one that makes her feel a pang of guilt. After all, he had said he was proud of his body, and based on the way he's acting, she's sensing that his pride is wounded.]

[She turns, preparing to pull off the robe... and then thinks of a way to possibly explain herself.]

It's just... this was supposed to be somewhere that we can relax and soak, isn't it? There's no places to sit and stretch out — and sitting there at the side doesn't look terribly relaxing. And you can hardly submerge, or soak your arms and back. And...

[Hm. Should she call out the scar, and how painful it looks? Maybe she should play it safe.] And your muscles probably need the rest and relaxation, don't they?

It's deep enough to sit.

[He does so, and in doing so, the water goes up to his neck. But he stands again.]

It's fine, really. I'm not so much of a jerk that I'd spy on a woman bathing.

She winces at the title of 'empress'. There's a bit of the story there, an adventure spanning multiple dimensions — but now is really not the time to divulge it. Suffice it to say that it's a harsh reminder that she has to try and reason with Izzy rather than force her away from this.

"I was the kind of leader who believed in doing everything I could to help others, regardless of the cost to myself. Which is why I know, beyond doubt, that you can't truly promise everything."

She stares at the follower. "If I offered my own blood for her to have what she likes, would you accept it?"

They shift uncomfortably. "Well... no. That's not really how the contract works..."

[ His face is stony. ] Before my arrival? The return of my people - all of whom will remain dead, by the way, as I've been vanquished by my world's hero. The only reason I rise from my bed now is to spend what little time I can with my long-deceased friend.

And yes - he has offered to bring me back with him should King Arthur succeed in saving our world. But the end of his time heralded the birth of the world as it is now, and many more would object to my erasing their existence over a purely selfish desire to return to what it was before.

I... I didn't mean to suggest that you were...

And I would like to think that I'm not so cruel as to force you to spend the whole time staring at the wall. I want you to be able to relax and enjoy yourself...

[He'll hear the sound of the fabric hitting the ground, and the splash of water as she slips into the pool with him.]

Even if I'm here.

[Hoo boy...]

[He swallows the lump in his throat and clings a little strongly to the wall.]

I’m relaxed! I mean...I’ve been wandering around naked this whole time right...?

[He’s desperately trying to maintain composure. Hopefully, Allura won’t pick up on that...]

[ While familiar with most aspects of magic from his time back home, on a subconscious level, Cloud finds himself building an affinity towards casting ice magic lately. While that didn't mean he wouldn't cast down more hard hitting spells on his foes, seeing this "imposter" siphon away and lessen the severity of his attack causes his brow to furrow. Holding his ground if only so he can protect what he believes to be Weiss behind him, his eyes follow her as she runs to a frozen section of the water. Then she does something that surprises him.

Even before in their time spent training together, he's never seen her use ice magic on this level. Breath clipping, he instinctively leaps out of the water just in time as a heavy sheet of ice encases the pool. He lands in a kneel, bracing himself so that he doesn't slip. As for the Siren? Unfortunately for her, her lower half has been encased. She doesn't have any powerful abilities beyond alluring unsuspecting victims into her depths. The spell she has cast over him is still in place though, something that...actually may work in the real Weiss' advantage. Because as the Siren calls out for help, he takes his eyes off the Huntress in front of him to notice her trapped. ]

Tch—

[ But was his guard down entirely? It's a fleeting couple of seconds, but his concern for who he thinks is the real Weiss does serve as an opening. His sword drawn at his side, he grits his teeth as he finds himself torn with what to do. Who knew that Cloud's greatest weakness is the very same person he's fighting? ]

[She isn't fooled in the slightest. Look at him! Look at how tense he is! Why, at the slightest provocation...]

[... ... ...]

[Hm.]

[She tries to approach him quietly, not getting right next to him. But that's all right — she has an exceptionally long pole in the form of her glaive. With the blunt end, she... very lightly taps him in the middle of the back.]

[He jumps almost completely out of the pool. But he doesn’t turn around! After all, he has to keep his promise!]

What the hell are you doing?? Hurry up and take your bath!!

Making a point. You aren't actually relaxed in the slightest, are you?

You jumped so high at that little tap, I thought you were going to touch the ceiling of the cavern! Even I'm not that high-strung!

I’m trying to give you privacy!

[And if he sees her naked, this bath is likely going to get a lot more awkward!]

What’s with you?? You were panicking a second ago!

But --

[She's too distracted to figure moving in time to stop him when he messes with the contents of the chalices. When he uses his elemental magic. Colette's too distracted in feeling that empathy and guilt in understanding at least in where Kratos was coming from in him not wanting to lose anyone else. Not wanting to lose her.

Though it's. Still one thing to hear from him about Lloyd saving her in spite of her duty. Another to have proof like this that anyone really cared about Colette rather than the Chosen. That Kratos was willing to do this. Colette's raised hand is far too slow and too far away to reach to stop Kratos anyway, as her eyes widen.]

Well... seeing you uncomfortable is making me uncomfortable. And besides that, you're more than sufficiently covered by the water...

[Thanks to the ripples from the water spout, she can only see forms under the water if she focuses on it. ... and she's trying not to do that.]

Honestly, I think it's a bigger problem than the lack of clothing. So...

Please, won't you relax?

L..Look are you...

Are you completely submerged? Nothing peeking out above the water..?

Because I’ll...turn around then...

[Well, Allura?]

[She shifts in the water behind him. It's not clear if it's because she's lowering herself into the water properly, or giving him more personal space, or... returning the glaive to the edge of the pool. Perhaps a combination of a few things.]

It's all below the surface. You can turn around safely.

I'm not sure? Maybe it is usual? Depending on the monster?

[They could be rather unique and different. That and she isn't quite as used to the ones here in comparison to back home either. So there's that to consider in her adjusting to this new place that is decidedly not Sylvarant. The creatures and magic here were sometimes similar but different enough that it could confuse her a little.]

[He takes a deep breath...]

[And turns around.]

[Of course, his eyes immediately gravitate to where her chest is. Look, it's unavoidable! He has to be sure and that's the only reason he's looking!]

[There's no way that can be disputed. Not with the voluptuous siren gone, yup.]

"I don't see anyone else about, do you?" he drawls. "Consider it a warm-up for later, if you like. That one goes over there, by the way."

He points to a marked spot in the grass.

Unable to easily wrest free from the man, he finally turns around with a glare.

"Can't you see them right there?" he snaps, pointing at the figure. "The tall one seated in the water. Grey skin and white hair with a crown upon their head."

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EVENT ✨ The Answer is Always C

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(his friend has no fixed gender as they are the player-character)