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

Hm... It happened yesterday. So not that long.

[Eustace stiffens for a moment when he hears Lyria's name. Is that...who Gran sees? A flash of rage flickers in his eyes as he glares at the siren, but it's offset by a mix of troubled pain as he can only imagine how much Gran must be missing the blue haired girl. And this is all wrapped by the knowledge that he's going to have to be the one to pull Gran out of it—and likely hurt him in the process.]

It's not Lyria, Gran.

[Regardless of those conflicting emotions, Eustace still remains calm and controlled, his voice clear and stern as he looks at Gran.]

If it were I would gladly let you go, but it's not.

[That makes Ren look at Anna, because calling someone he deeply cares about not human is unacceptable.]

How dare you say that? She's a perfect human being. Leave us alone.

[Given the right circumstances... very true!

But for simple puzzle-solving! Izuku isn't sure he wants to splatter blood all over the place.

Izuku holds his chin in thought...]

Ahh... I- I think we might be able to rely on my alchemy magic. If I can break down the stone we might be able to move them easier. But it'll take a lot of energy...

[It's a lot of stone! He's never transmuted this much stone before. Like truckloads of it.]

Rose gave a bit of a shrug. "I would not turn down a free meal." And he did offer after all, even though he didn't have to. It would have been rude to deny him.

Looked like they were in the clear now, since they were now right in front of the gate. "I suppose. Especially since it looks like you really need to clean yourself up." Though that really wasn't his fault. That all goes to the angry mob that put him in the stockades.

Ehhh----??

[No- Not Shinsou of all people. Izuku's shoulders go straight up before he jolts around mechanically, facing away from the mirage of his teacher and personal mentor in the pool of desires. Izuku puts his hand up to block his peripheral vision.]

N-no- I- I- ... I don't think that's the r-real All Might!

[He wouldn't be caught dead in a pool like this? Like that?! Calling to the boy?! Those huge man-bulging muscles flexing as he beckons,]

"YOUNG MIDORIYA, DO NOT FEAR. FOR I AM HERE."

No- No! No! You're not!!

[ At the offer he's presented, Hypnos laughs. It's a loud barking laugh, genuine and amused. He laughs right in the face of the people presenting the deal to him because it's insane. It's insane because he's certain that he'd know if Dionysus were truly here, wouldn't he? ]

How did you pick Dionysus for this one? Open a random page in a book, point, and decide it would be him?

[ There's an amused shift and he steps in closer. He's taller than her while slouched, of course, ]

Are you really thinking about doing this?

[Izuku's protests are ignored as Lizzie brings down the axe. She knows what she's doing. It's fine.

She gives him a quick, hopefully-reassuring smile.]

Save the thanks for when we get to safety.

[Lizzie reaches over to pull the stock open so that Izuku doens't break his neck trying to do so from below. A townsperson grabs her by the arm to try and stop her.]

"How dare you intervene in the process of just--OW!"

[The interruption is caused by Lizzie punching him square in the face. He screams and lets go of her to reach for his now-broken nose, and Lizzie swings the stock up and off.]

Let's go!

And just who was on the other end of the bracelet? It was none other than Leanne and just just gains a suspicious look on her face at him.

"... What are you planning, Mitsuhide?"

[Izuku quickly lifts one foot and looks around at the ground at the patterns adorned on it.]

Y-yeah. I wonder what the markings mean... I'm guessing it'll have something to do with Celliwig or the fae...

Rose nodded some and looked back to him, seeing that he was smiling again. It seemed like he was back to his normal self.

"That sounds like a good idea to me."

Rose looked back through the gate. "I think it was if I would free you or join the crowd in throwing things at you. Otherwise, why leave the key to the stockades in such an easy to get location?"

"It's less bothersome than dealing with them." It was true for the most part. There were some people she didn't mind being in the company of, but most she'd be tempted to pull her gun to get the space she preferred... Or find other more colourful ways to tell them she simply wasn't interested.

There was a small smile tugging at her lips. Pulling her gaze away from those with the boulders, she regarded the man not far behind her. "Besides you can discover a lot about a person by watching them."

[It may be a poor poker face, but the keys are clearly... not visible at all. The guard looks around for them, then stoops to check amongst the crowd. He grumbles about how he'll get Tsuna.

There is electricity bouncing about between Gokudera's hands and through his collar continuously, sparks visibly flying an he does his best to wave his hands, trying to motion for Tsuna to not approach him.]

It's not safe, Tenth! [And if Tsuna doesn't have the keys, he should probably find some way to get them before that guard does. The bomber has yet to notice that the keys are safe and just invisible.]

"I can't deny that," He nodded, waving to rose as they passed through the gate, "I'll let you know when I've gotten everything ready for that meal. See you soon."

It might have had a rough start, but overall today was honestly pretty good. He was especially looking forward to Rose's reaction to whatever he'd cook up, considering she seemed surprised that he could cook to begin with.

[[ OoC: Good place to end? ]]

[ Remarkably, she managed to keep her posture, her gaze shifting low, to the side, to meet his own. ]

Baiken... And you owe me a drink, Masamune.

[ Not much for last words, at least for most people, but those would be hers, as soon enough, that eye closed, and her breath stilled. She didn't slump from her chair. She remained there, quiet, settled into the coldness of her blood slowing... ]

[Why is this sounding like an advertisement?! Maybe it's this guy's natural shady sales-esque personality. Geez. Kadoc hates that he's actually grateful that, while this is abjectly humiliating, it's also still somehow not as bad as it could be—though that also might be counting his chickens before they hatch. He's well aware of that too.

Of course he slouches over and cringes under the weight of Rei's arm. The truth is, there's something theatrical about this on his end, too. He just can't resist the opportunity to complain and snipe back, getting his little jabs in where he can around these commands.]

. . . What, are you a wannabe ventriloquist act or something? You need a new puppet? We can find you a cuter one than me.

[But that said, he's not allowed to just substitute that for the answer. He can put it off with his complaining to an extent, but in the end, he still has to reply to the question.]

Obviously I resent this shit more than a bit.

Mitsuhide picked up the target. The shot wasn't in the center but it was impressive that she managed to get close to where her first shot was. Getting a grouping on the target still took some good amount of skill after all.

Now for the final shot.

He placed the target back on the easel after pulling the arrow out of it. Once it was in position, he knelt on the ground in front of the target. He did make sure that he head was a couple of inches away and below from the small grouping, to at least give himself a bit of a buffer. But to the audience, it probably looked like he was closer to the center of the target than he really was.

He gave a nod to Adela to let her know he was ready.

There is no other option, Izuku. [ Gareth spoke solemnly, letting a hand settle on his shoulder, grip subtle. ]

But know this; as a Heroic Spirit, naught awaits me but simply returning to the Throne of Heroes, until I am needed again. I doubt you have such a luxury, yet.

Of course Mitsuhide knew that Nobunaga meant it. It was a skill of his to know what his fellow warlords thought even before he arrived in this realm.

Still, chuckling some, he followed his lord out. He had no doubt that Nobunaga may try to get back at him for the circus tricks he dared him to do, but it was well worth it.

Ah, it was the heron girl this time. He gave her sly smile. "Nothing sinister, I assure you." And he was going to make sure that he didn't use any commands that would translate across the bracelets and make her do something she wasn't comfortable with.

"We are just going to put on a performance for this audience, together."

[ And there she went. Masamune couldn't help a sigh, smiling a bit at her. Such confidence, but he'd give her that drink at her grave. However, when he makes to lift her body, he's stopped. ]

Stop. Leave her where she lays.

She deserves a burial, old man. Doesn't matter if I've only known her for this.

[ Masamune reaches to try again, but this time he's blocked by the man standing in front of him. He sighs, exasperated, before explaining as he can tell that this one will get uppity otherwise. ]

The trial is over. You will be returned to your city, as will she. You've chosen your own life over hers.

I still know enough to respect the dead. Do we have to do this the hard way?

[ Masamune's about ready to draw his swords when the man speaks again, this time taking the warlord by surprise. ]

She is not among the dead. This was a test, and no more.

[ He's skeptical, shooting a cold glare at the man as he reaches for Baiken's wrist, checking her pulse. ]

Seems pretty dead to me.

As she should, but she's in a deep rest. She'll wake up, alive and well, within an hour.

And if she doesn't?

She will wake.

[ Masamune frowned at him, because it sounded just plain unbelievable. Still, like he himself had said earlier, this whole place is unbelievable. He finally sighs, his eye turning to Baiken once more. ]

I'll put an end to your mind games if the death toll's going to be that high.

[ The man just frowned at Masamune's fearless declaration, but he said nothing. Instead, the two are sent back to Camelot from there, into Baiken's room.

By the time she would wake, she'd be in her own bed, and there's a note on her desk.

Let me know when you want that drink. I know a place. Maybe we'll find more common ground then.

- Date Masamune

There are some contact details below the note, and it looks like it was written hastily. Were it not for the note, the whole experience might as well have been a bad dream.

At least it's one they both managed to walk away from, in one form or another. ]

[[ OoC: Hope this is all right, as I was struggling to come up with how to continue the thread from there. Maybe this would be a good place to end for now? ]]

[ Weiss isn't quite sure what she was doing last before finding herself here. Despite that, though, it seems that all is well. All too well, but that may be the paranoia in Weiss talking. It's difficult to relax during moments like these... not that she finds herself in a mood to relax quite often nowadays. What is happening in Remnant bothers her each day, and the good things about this world somehow manage to distract her from time to time. But when she's alone. . .

It's fortunate she has her sword with her. It's become easier to use now that she's managed to purchase ice bullets that work the same way as Dust does. With a little bit of magic, she can use it the same way, as well.

She cannot trust her surroundings, but she's fine by herself. The magic she's learned to use should protect her for the time-being. Still, her first objective as she looks around and travels down the open paths is to find a companion. Things might just make more sense that way. ]

Hello? Excuse me! [ That was a person, wasn't it? A bit too far from where she is, but she doesn't want to shout. She'll just have to catch up, then. These caves seem rather straightforward, but Weiss would prefer to be careful of where she's going rather than slip and hit her head, after all! So it takes a bit of time before she manages to follow the man she saw walking around.

She finds herself following a path that leads to a much larger room, with a much larger pool at the centre. There weren't any noises where she came from, just the sounds of water dripping, but now, where a singing voice echoes and bounces from one stone wall to another, she finds herself a little confused. No— not just confused, but at a loss for words. That's... her isn't it? But she's here. And that's Cloud—

There isn't much time to think things through rationally. Her heart drums in her chest and all she can hear are alarms sounding in her head. There's something wrong going on here, and she has to do something about it. What's the plan? There is no plan, but she finds herself running after Cloud before she can even think of the next step. ]

Cloud, what are you doing?! [ With her boots submerged in the water, the tail of her dresses soaked, she's finding it more and more difficult to run. But she has to keep moving. ] Cloud!

She seemed relatively calm, watching as he moved the target...

And then he was kneeling in front of it.

It was about then that she looked horrified, shocked that he was allowing his head to remain so close to the target. Adela paused, seriously hesitant and feeling her right hand begin to shake.

Oh Nehra. She... She could kill him if she failed to aim correctly.

Horrible images were coming to mind before she tried to shake it off, taking a deep breath, and notching the third arrow against her better judgement. She could hear the ringmaster making some very, very unnecessary commentary about possibly seeing some bloodshed, which was doing nothing to soothe her frayed nerves. But what she really didn't understand was why Mitsuhide was willing to trust her so readily.

She didn't want him to die. She couldn't mess this up. She normally aimed to kill, but... That target was the only thing she wanted to hit.

Finally, she made herself break eye-contact, instead looking past him to the bullseye above his head. She... Had to. She had to make sure she was aiming for the bullseye, no lower. She couldn't afford for it to go lower.

To her it felt like far too long, but in actuality it was only a few seconds longer for her to aim than it had for the previous shots.

Please, only hit the bullseye... Please, don't hit him...

And, in an instant, the tension in the air was pierced with the arrow she released. It flew, whistling straight above Mitsuhide's head and into the target, dead center.

The deafening din of the crowd's cheering was nothing to Adela as she just fell to her knees, just staring as she tried to process that, somehow, she had done that and had gotten through what had to be one of the most harrowing experiences of her life so far, if not the most.

[In time, Kadoc finds what to his eye seems to be the Second Weirdest Mark®, and he stands there near it to mark the spot while skimming the area to see if he can identify the rock that goes with it. He can't from this angle, so instead he watches Zidane's display of magic there. Hmmm . . . it doesn't look easy after all. Easier than doing it by hand, but not easy! They'll need to switch off tasks to build in breaks. That's fine; it's a nice day. This isn't unpleasant so far, though that's easy for Kadoc to say when he's not doing any of the physical labor, yet.]

I'd make good backup in a fight. That's about all the credit I'll give myself there. I've managed it a couple of times, even, but left to myself against something serious? Out in the woods or whatever? I'd trust myself to escape, but not to take anything down. Guess I'm stuck with the buddy system when it comes to quests and all that crap.

. . . You got it? That looks heavy even from here.

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EVENT ✨ The Answer is Always C

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the latest person around lol

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Day 1

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