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.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I would like to think that as well.

[He's not so sure that he does, though. Then again, he's not sure what he thinks of any of this. It would be nice if there was a solution that didn't involve one or both of them dying, but Kratos doesn't really expect nice things these days.]

We could take a look around, perhaps we might find something.

[So... She was one of those types?

Elza watched as the other woman meekly replied before turning back to give it another try. The desire to help was non-existent while the attempt was made. However long that the woman would try, Elza would watch.

How much conviction does this woman have?]

... Ah.

[Claude looks through the doorway even as she opens it again. He should've expected that. He laughs, and leans against the nearest wall, shaking his head in disbelief.]

So I nearly got killed, and by what? An illusion? Great relaxation springs they have going on here...

They were in my way.

[ It was almost too simple an answer, too much like the edge of a blade that simply cut too close to the quick. But just like that blade, it was very earnestly itself, an answer that was undeniable in its truth, naked and bleeding.

This wasn't just someone who literally cut away people that stood in her path. It was in her eye. Those words... they meant something heavier. Something that could not be explained away with simple morals. ]

I absolutely would.

[That might be a joke, but he's so goddamn deadpan that it's hard to tell. He does as instructed, whipping a fireball directly at Zidane. Do something cool, Zidane!]

It's not fair, but... We're also approaching this from our own perspectives. When fae magic is at work, nothing is as it seems.

[ Lancelot had taught her that, and that man had plenty of experience with it, having essentially been both blessed and cursed by them in his own time. ]

We need to think. This "challenge" is not what it appears on the surface.

It was real enough to matter.

[ That they’re each soaking wet is proof enough of that. She takes up a place next to him, leaning her shoulder against the wall, arms loosely crossed. ]

You okay?

"So... What are you? What about Oichi?" Not that his nieces were really Oda clan, but part of him didn't care especially. It was part of the caste systems he was so desperate to break. Bloodlines.

His heart sank a little. "You're youkai too?" Tch... He doesn't need to be one to be demonic... Right? So where did this inferiority complex come from? Demon, not demon, it was all just labels and titles.

"So many people keep asking what to call me, or worse calling me Your Majesty. Without any sarcasm. Do you remember the conference all the vassals and retainers had, trying to decide on a title?" Not emperor, not king, not shogun.

He sighed and laid back on the ground, "Fool or Demon King, it's not the words, it's what it represents, isn't it?"

He propped up slightly then, "Hey so, you have lovers? Recently or--?"

Obviously not Mai. But anyone else was fair game or a mystery. It might clue him into how much a fight there would be over Kitsuno or not too.

[ Gareth tried to ignore the fae's presence. The last time she had to get Caster to her senses, she was well more limp. She was surprised by just how strong the other woman was, Gareth struggling to keep her arm into some kind of arm bar, but not so much that she'd hurt herself jerking away.

Difficult to manage, to say the least. ]

If that was really him, he wouldn't have waited until now to contact you!

[When Gokudera hears more cheering and glances up to see a new face in the crowd, he looks back down. This person could be kind, but most have not. It matters little him whether there is anything in this stranger's hands when there are riding crops, feathers, and more tools for punishment within reach. He braces and hears the click of a lock unlatching, and its subsequent fall to the stone at their feet.

The prisoner looks up to thank Ledo when an egg is thrown at them. He jerks back, raw wrists and the half choke collar on his neck making a clatter as they hit the stockade still latched in place. Then he sees a pistol being drawn and his face, flushed with fear and humiliation blanches.

The silence that follows leaves him still even when the rest of the stockade is unlocked. He carefully looks up, green eyes searching and wondering why in the world a complete stranger would help him out.

What motivation could this person possibly have? And to publicly brandish a weapon at a crowd of onlookers? That's foolish! This guy could be in big trouble for something like that!]

Do I know you?

Edited 2021-05-26 03:48 (UTC)

No you won't.

[ Baiken's tone had a certain harshness to it, different from before, like a blade with a chipped edge; perhaps even more deadly than before, for how painful its cuts could be. ]

This body won't find the rest of its way into the grave until it's drowned in That Man's blood. Like hell I'd let anyone else do that for me.

Yeah. [His smile drops a bit, if only because he can tell Blaze is in serious mode as he eyes her. It's all practically routine to him -- another day, another something trying to kill him.]

What about you? It didn't hurt you, did it?

"Sure. A drink would be fine." With Nobunaga's influence, Gokudera is going to become an alcoholic.

"Why is that? I think I would enjoy what I deserve." A fucking break. Something very lucky happening to him, for once. Possibly some recognition or appreciation? He's played hero many times on Amoi and his reward was... punishment. Maybe he should do more villainous things and good will happen to him?

Oh hells -

[ alisaie is caught by surprise, too hopeful perhaps that she will get through to the girl, so when she bolts, alisaie's grasp slips, and off she goes.

for a moment she is not sure how to react, staring dumbfounded, but she soon then snaps into movement, thankful that she ever keeps her rapier close. alisaie snags it from where it sits at the edge of the stones, then dives beneath the water, darting under the surface and toward the duplicitous creature. what it is doing is so terribly cruel..

surprised, the siren gasps beneath the water and makes to turn, though alisaie's blade catches its tail, clouding the water with blood. ]

[ She is in serious mode, but she also recognizes that the middle of the inn might not be the best place to discuss the finer details of what happened back there – like why it was Claude’s teacher, specifically, that the creature decided to use against him. ]

Not in the least. In fact, I think I did most of the damage.

[ Which does include dropping Claude on the ground. Whoops.

She combs her fingers through her hair, which is already beginning to dry and stick up at odd angles. ]

We should head home. I could go for a shower.

Oooh yeah, he is so not into this, and he really doesn't understand how she can be.

"I can't say that I'm entirely comfortable with this..."

Buuuut it looks like this is a thing that's going to happen regardless of how he feels about it. Sighing, he puts on the andara bracelet.

"What sort of skills do you have? I don't want for you to do something that will get you hurt."

[ To anyone else, this must have seemed like the height of foolishness. To simply fight over who has the right to die for the other was both silly and conceited in so many ways. The old man's expression remained unchanged, but even within his ancient fae eyes, this could not have appeared as anything but comedy.

But to Gareth... this was something she and Gawain deserved more than anything else. Determination, the right to it, to decide for themselves how they will end things on this plain. Gareth knew well from Lancelot's teachings that no fae proposal was ever as it seemed on the surface, but this had risen beyond even that concept.

It wasn't really about the challenge any longer. It wasn't about the poison, or who would die.

It was about showing Gawain she was strong enough to face that death.

She flashed a smile to him, wiping the sweat from her brow, and gripped her lance again, lifting it from where it had been settled beside her. ]

Right. One last blow to show you... just where my heart truly lies, Gawain.

[Looks like muscle wizard wasn't bullshitting them when he said that the only way out was his wacky poison challenge. It's certainly not ideal, but it is what it is.

When Kratos replies, he sounds genuinely pleased by her response. Well, as pleased as he can ever manage to sound.]

So you've been planning for the future. Sounds like you have quite a few options to choose from.

I don't doubt it. [Even underwater, he wouldn't want to get caught in a fight with Blaze, so he can imagine the kind of nasty wound she left it with. She probably left him with more bruises than the siren did too, really.]

Good call... And let's avoid any suspicious doors for the rest of the day, shall we?

[The ride home is fortunately uneventful, so they make it back in one piece. Once they're both showered and dressed, Claude brews them both some tea, so they can relax and put the whole trial disaster out of mind. Or at least, that's what he'd like to do, even if he has a inkling Blaze might not make things that easy for him.]

[Marianne's not graceful enough to move quickly while wading through the water, but she does manage to make it away from the girl and over to her father. She's openly crying now, overwhelmed by more emotions than she can count.]

I've missed you so much.

"I know, Mari. I know."

[He reaches out to pull her in, but freezes suddenly halfway through the gesture. There's a commotion beneath the water, and then blood. Marianne screams, searching for the source of the attack. It's probably the girl--it has to be the girl. But where is she?!

Spurred on by anger and pain at the interruption (and the way it was interrupted), the siren drops all pretense and decides to take advantage of Marianne's distracted state, grabbing her roughly and dragging her under the water.]

It can't be helped! He does know of the dangers of alcoholism, but not of smoking or that Gokudera could be going through other withdrawals making an inclination towards drinking worse! To the bar!

"You're young. You've been through a lot of shit already. But never let someone else decide your worth, or what you've earned. Go after what you want."

Shit. He REALLY needs that drink. He's not quite shaking, or even losing his famous composure, but he's coming damn close.

"I don't know what I deserve. To have died at Honno-Ji? But even that isn't what bothers me. For Mitsuhide to betray me, means I turned my back on him first, and failed his ambition. Still... I know I don't deserve anything good or happiness in my life." A growl and clenched fist on his sword, to remind himself it's there. "Second chance with Kitsuno? No." His heart clenched, but he reminded himself what Hijikata said -- that he would just have to protect her by being there! -- and he took a deep breath and let it go.

"Getting to see the future I create?"

He did tremble then, and shook a hand through his hair. "No one could deserve that. Least of all such as me..."

A quiet gulp. "I don't want to go to the top, because they deserve it. But because I want to break it. You can only become the strongest by defeating the others."

A sudden snort, and Nobunaga gave him an amused grin finally, "I'll tell you one thing, I definitely deserved being set on fire. But I still don't want to do it again," a small dark laugh.

But Kitsuno felt the same a little, didn't she? That she hadn't worked as hard as him at... Whatever. It's a nightmare. But a good one?

"You ask too many questions in a row, yanno that?" Kipposhi sighed again. Though he could completely understand why. He was the same, after all.

"I was trying to be vague, but no, I'm not a youkai," if anything, his nature as an anti-divinity Heroic Spirit meant youkai inherently had a lot to fear from him, not that it mattered with is powers sealed off...

"What I mean is I literally can't sire children. I don't have the equipment for it."

Normally he had no problem being crass, but this... this required some sensitivity. But he found it so much easier, somehow, to be this honest with "himself".

"You said it yourself... those titles, those labels, what they represent... I guess 'man' and 'woman' don't mean much, either."

Which... probably spoke volumes about the possible answers to his other self's second question, about his past lovers.

Yeaaaah, they can worry about story time after they've found a way out. Or not. Someone's most likely gonna die.

"He's not stuck here if he knows some kind of teleportation spell, or if he can shift onto another plane. He's obviously not concerned about being stuck here, which leads me to believe that there must be more to him than meets the eye. With that in mind, I think that attempting to fight him would be futile."

In other words, no. Zel doesn't think he could take him.

Wh- Wait-!

[Izuku absolutely makes a reach for the one she grabs, his expression getting rightfully panicked when she holds it close.]

No! I understand your logic with that but- There has to be some other way, I can't feel right about you drinking either one, Jiro-san! We can't just factor luck!

[They're going to have to argue about this one!! SHE BETTER NOT SHOTGUN IT.]

There was no hiding the smirk on Mitsuhide's face.

"By all means, my lord. Show me how it's done." Nobunaga, sometimes you just makes things way too easy for your left hand man.

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EVENT ✨ The Answer is Always C

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I'm cool with brackets c:

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Re: Day Six: @ gareth

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