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.

Comments

Hawk | Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

[notquitetamed]

Schadenfreude - Open

[Well, looks like Hawk is the unlucky sap to be stuck in the stocks. Apparently it's because of him breaking people out of prison, multiple times. He definitely has no clue how anyone accomplished catching him.

Still, he's a master at breaking people out of prison, why not get himself out of this? Of course he's going to try and find out that he can't teleport. He'll see the keys and try to move them but only can make them jingle a bit and not move from their spot. Well, that sure sucks.]

[ooc: While someone did express interest in this one, I'm open to multiple threads of it so I'm leaving it as an open prompt.]

What's the Meaning of Stongehenge? - Open

[Hawk tends to find such things like puzzles to be boring, but at the same time it's something he's good at. What he dislikes more is heavy grunt work like pushing stones. Good thing he's got kinetic magic and has practiced at moving things with it. Nothing quite this heavy yet but it should hopefully be simpler than things like untying knots, right?

So whoever ends up stuck with him will notice him laying in that comfy grass and one of the stones is slowly moving on its own. So is he with another kinetic magic user who can help? Does his partner have another type of magic that could do this or are they going to do it the hard way and push stones into place? Also, who knows if the solution he's come to is even correct. Those directions sure are vague and he had to guess at some of the placements.]

Closed to Chris - Will contain major Ys IX spoilers

[It likely comes as no shock whatsoever to anyone who knows Hawk that his deepest desire has to do with fighting. That's definitely a plus because he's going to fight the siren either way. Problem is, he sees it as being a very particular opponent that was supposed to already be defeated by him and his fellow Monstrums. Hawk being Hawk and really having a thing for fighting this particular opponent isn't going to see anything strange about that. He's all for another duel and this time being able to show he can win this by himself.

But what Chris can see for now is that he's got his swords out and he's moving towards the siren and the water. However, she's seen him in battle enough to know something is definitely off about him and how he is moving.]


Closed to Yuber - cw: death, lack of self-preservation (kind of)

[Well, Yuber wasn't exactly Hawk's first choice of someone to see here, but at least he's familiar with the demon and can work with this. Seeing nothing else in the area, he's going to go ahead and take a seat in one of the chairs and he's definitely taking a closer look at those chalices first to see if there's any directions. He's definitely getting sick of all this vague and stupid crap. For now though he seems intent on trying to figure out if there is something up with the chalices.]

Wildcard

[Want to do something else or want a closed prompt? Feel free to hit me up at ladynadiad or Nadia#0343 on discord.]

Schadenfreude

[scriptwriter]

[How strange... Kotarou was positive that they didn't have stocks here before. Or maybe they did, but he happened to overlook them. He had bought a basket of fruits from the vendor and was munching down on an apple. He noticed one of the people looking at a set of keys... Some of these people looked like they didn't want to be here. He couldn't help and want to meddle around in wanting to free some fellows who looked like they didn't need to be up there. His eyes stop on the young man who looked around his age.

Could he be trying to use kinetic magic? Or was I just seeing things? Kotarou being himself couldn't help and make a snarky reply. Some people were urging him to throw his fruits over at Hawk, but even Kotarou wasn't that cruel. He does tend to take the situation more lightly than he should as he approaches him.]

You know... They said that there's four keys to making a successful prison break. If you can guess what those are, then I'll lend you a hand.

[notquitetamed]

[Hawk tries at the keys again but it isn't working. Weird, usually he's better at this stuff. Seeing a rotten tomato about to come towards his face though, he's going to try magic on that. Kotarou will definitely feel that the wind picked up a bit and that tomato now falls just a bit short. Hawk grins when it does, making it clear he did something.]

You think I really was dumb enough to get caught? Don't know how they actually were able to catch me because there's no way that's happening without the majority sent to do so getting hurt.

But to answer your question. Knowledge of the prison, guard patrols, etc. A path in and out. Skill at sneaking past guards and making distractions along with the ability to deal with any guards that you can't avoid before they can alert others. As a bonus, also need a good place to hide the fugitive after you get them out to avoid the patrols in the city.

[Hawk's tone as he says all this is confident and cocky. He doesn't need to think about it, he's broken into Balduq's prison many times already. Of course he did fail to mention getting keys, but that isn't necessary when one can pick locks.]

[scriptwriter]

You sure know how to lay out the ideal prison escape movie. But that's not exactly what I was getting at here.

[Still, Kotarou figured that he'd have to take those notes to heart if he was ever caught in a ridiculous scenario like that. Though he couldn't ever see himself in a prison as he's lived a crime-free life. If he knew how to come and go out of prisons this easily, then Hawk had to be a criminal of some kind. He takes a moment to put his fruit bucket down.

There's a mischievous smirk on Kotarou's face. Hawk might've answered wrong in Kotarou's mind, but he was still going to help him out. Just for the sake of his expense here... There was a big white feather on the table nearby, so he'll be reaching out for that.]

You gave me a thoughtful answer, but it was more meat than I was expecting! So for that, you'll be penalized!

[Picking up the feather, Kotarou will be lightly tickling Hawk's nose. Some of the jeering audience was amused at his antics. Kotarou's personal goal here wasn't so much inflicting pain, but just playful teasing.]

[notquitetamed]

[Not like Hawk really cares to admitting to the prison breaks. Back home that was something everyone knew about, but the garrison couldn't do shit to catch him no matter what they they tried.]

Yeah, whatever. Even I'm not enough of an asshole to leave a kid who has more bark than bite in a prison she didn't belong in to begin with. [Of course he's only admitting to one and the sign indicates he's responsible for multiple times. He's actually broken into prison way more than that and released plenty of prisoners. He's got plenty of fun stories regarding breaking i and out of prison that he'll be happy to speak of.

Now the feather under his nose? More annoying than anything else for the moment. Not even a reaction or even a sneeze yet. Definitely will take a bit more to get a reaction out of him.]

And look, take it from the guy who has his own feathers, pick something a bit less stiff. [And with that, he grins. He's on to what is going on and really isn't bothered. The fruit is annoying but it's clear this guy isn't into mean-natured bullying like the rest of the audience.]

[scriptwriter]

Huh? Wait... You actually saved someone from prison? Could you secretly be one of those 'bad guy who's secretly a nice guy' types?

[Kotarou certainly had experience with those! There's some people who throw fruits at Hawk, but Kotarou will lift his hand up and forms a star-shaped shield to protect him from those incoming tomatoes. Hawk's arrogance does annoy Kotarou just a bit. Sure, he had an arrogant streak... But it was another situation whenever someone else was more cocky than him!

His question was building up to a joke, but Kotarou was far more focused on other things right now. He'll save the punchline for later on! Right now, he wanted to get a reaction out from this fellow. Was he being childish? Probably. But Kotarou would always have a youthful heart. He's going to rub the feather around his nostrils just a little harder.]

Less stiff? Listen... Anyone can get riled up over a feather! You're just acting cool right now!

[notquitetamed]

[He's not going to comment on that. Yeah, he definitely is a lot like Iris, but unlike her there's actual bite to go along with his bark. He helped with the prison break ins because it sounded fun, not because of any misplaced sense of justice like the others. He's sick of people thinking he's secretly a decent person when he only has a few morals that led him to being okay with a sort of vigilante justice because he knows very well that it's the strong who determine what is right and what is wrong.]

And here I thought I'd make things easier for you. Clearly you want a reaction, but that just feels like you're trying to brush my nose hairs or something equally stupid. Either try harder or free me and I'll deal with the crowd and get you out of here.

[The audience definitely doesn't seem too happy about the shield and Hawk's lack of reaction and mouth here. They think he's lying and that he's getting off too easy when he deserves to rot in prison for what he did. Hawk actually starts laughing at some of those comments because it's just hilarious that they even think a prison could keep someone like him for long.]

Closed to Weiss

[notquitetamed]

[Well, it sure was weird. Hawk could swear he's just been walking through the door to his home and now he's at a beach. This makes no damn sense at all. Whatever though, not like weird shit is anything new and neither is suddenly appearing in another spot. This just is far more pleasant looking than the Grimwald Nox is.

Anyway, he'll go ahead and sit down at the table and listen to the explanation from the old man. It's definitely bullshit, but he's also not exactly the sort to react in a way to guarantees he'll die. Very reckless and willing to take a dangerous path, but he only will take it if there is some chance for success.

So his choice is obvious. He'll grab the chalice closest to him.]

Bottoms up.

[And he's going to just chug that down real fast before Weiss has a chance to even react to him. It's nasty as hell, but with all his experience at downing alcohol fast, he doesn't have a problem with it. The only reaction he seems to be having is the usual sort from a person who just ingested something foul tasting and is dealing with the nasty aftertaste left in his mouth.]

[schmisse]

[ As someone competitive and very meticulous, Weiss has actually been taking these challenges seriously! They may have all been weird and eerie, some disturbing, but she's... managing. She finds herself in another challenge now, and at first, she's filled with confidence that she'll be able to do it properly and well, but then—

What did— ]

Oh, you have got to be kidding me!

[ She's only now begun to understand the rules and she just stares at her partner for this challenge, waiting for something. Anything! ]

Why would you act to reckless, you dolt?! How are you feeling now?!

[notquitetamed]

[It's so not the first time he's dealt with such reactions and insults. Hell, it was a common enough reaction from White Cat who tended to be more of a scaredy cat about anything.

But the bad news for Weiss is that he looks fine. With her reaction he's almost tempted to troll her by pretending he's been poisoned, but he decides against it. Her chalice clearly contains poison and that's not going to be easy to swallow at all.]

Feel perfectly fine other than wishing I could do something about that foul aftertaste. That old man clearly didn't want to give us any way to tell the difference.

[schmisse]

If you're feeling fine, then...

[ Whatever shock she's felt immediately disappears, replaced by an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her gaze lowers to her own cup, but. . . she's not sure whether to be happy or sad about it. While this guy may be a stranger to her, she has no intentions of seeing anyone die before her ever again. But...

Now she's just glaring at him because No. She does not want to drink this??!??!?! ]

[notquitetamed]

Doesn't make me feel much better because I don't have a reason to be cool with seeing you die and I don't got healing magic to help you.

[And this was exactly why he drank first. He didn't want to be in the situation of having a chalice of poison he must drink or condemn them both to a slow and awful death. Better to drink while it was unknown and merely dangerous rather than risk her taking that away from him. Doesn't mean he likes this solution. He was okay with the risk of dying, but it seriously sucks to live through this through luck rather than his own skill. Really the only good thing he can see here is that the poison is likely highly lethal enough that her death should be quick and painless.]

[schmisse]

There has to be another way!

[ She's definitely not drinking that any time soon... They didn't get to think about what to do because Someone just went in and drank a cup quickly. There's got to be a loophole to this, so... ]

This is why you shouldn't have drank too quickly!

The Cup Problem

[eightfoldfiend]

[Yuber takes a while to sit down.

He peers around at the sky and the surrounding landscape, eagerly searching for a way out. Wherever here is, it's not where he'd been trying to go. This is not Loch Manor.

If only he could still teleport....

With a sneer he prowls across the grass and sits opposite Hawk, whom he greets with a bob of his head.]

Hello.

[Then his mismatched gaze drifts to the chalices.]

What is this?

[notquitetamed]

It's a beverage of some sort. Not anything I can identify other than the smell indicates it probably won't be very tasty.

[And Hawk sure isn't seeing much else here besides this table and the chalices. No vegetation, nothing on the horizon to try and fly to.

At that point though the old man arrives and explains about the two drinks. Knowing Yuber as Hawk does, he expects at any moment that Yuber will just try to attack or kill the old man to get out of this. While the old man may not look defenseless, that's something that is likely best avoided.

With it not looking like there was a better solution, Hawk will just grab the chalice closest to him and drink it to get Yuber's attention away from the old man. He was definitely right about it not being tasty.]

The old man's probably joking, but he definitely needs to learn how to make a better drink. That shit's nasty.

[Hawk doesn't realize yet that he did just drink the poison. He's just going to lean his chair back and watch how Yuber reacts for now.]

[eightfoldfiend]

[As the old man speaks Yuber reaches one arm out to the side and flicks his wrist.

A wooden hilt slides into his palm but before he can extend the King Crimson blade Hawk is chugging down the contents of one of the cups and the old man is walking away.]

Tsk.... He looked fun.

[He tucks the hilt back into his sleeve and eyes first Hawk then the chalices.

Whatever the other man had just drank was apparently not very good, which sounds to Yuber like an accurate description of bitter water. Humans don't usually seem fond of "bitter".

That would make the remaining cup the poison.]

I'm not drinking this. I refuse to die here.

[notquitetamed]

[Good, he stopped Yuber from attacking an unarmed old man. It would be one thing if the old man wanted a fight, but it was clear he was just there to explain this shit and leave. No point in attacking someone who isn't willing. He just wouldn't fight at his full capability.

But at Yuber's refusal to drink the other, Hawk is about to bring his chair back to the ground and get up. He wasn't too keen on dying here either and a refusal to drink would kill them both. He know though that the only way he'd be able to force the matter with the demon would be to fight for it.

However, before he can lower the chair he feels strange. What's especially off is that if he was actually dying of poison it should already be showing signs of it, but no weird glowing shit and he's still holding Monstrum form, which clues him in immediately that he's not actually dying. He starts laughing. He gets it, and it's a great joke. Unfortunately he falls back in his chair very soon after he figures it out and doesn't get a good chance to appreciate the joke yet. He's not able to say anything further and ends up on the sand seemingly dead.

Yuber definitely will notice something's off though, because Hawk still remains in Monstrum form when the dream they shared showed he should revert back to his human form once weakened enough to be killed. Of course with Yuber having death magic as well, he should catch on that's no corpse even if the lack of vital signs would make most a non-death mage think otherwise. One thing is clear: Hawk was the one who got the "poison" and the remaining chalice is safe to drink to end this stupid trial.]

cw: Yuber fantasizing about murder. As you do.

[eightfoldfiend]

[Suddenly Hawk is pitching sideways and hitting the sand.

Yuber remains seated for a while, waiting for him to get up. When he doesn't, the demon rises from his chair and circles around the table to stand over Hawk's corpse...

Or, at least, he stands over what this strange magical place wants him to think is Hawk's corpse. The other man remains golden-haired, not reverting to his human body. His heartbeat has gone still but Yuber sees no spirit wandering around...

Somehow, life still clings to this man.

He crouches down and whispers into Hawk's ear.]

You're still alive in there, aren't you?

Don't worry, I will release you from your suffering....

[Again he flicks his wrist and grips the hilt that slides from his sleeve. The blade within extends out to the length of a dagger and he holds its edge against Hawk's throat.

Just as he is about to cut deep something gleams at the corner of his vision and he looks up at the remaining chalice.

If Hawk truly dies what will happen? Will Yuber somehow be trapped here?

...Maybe.

He can't risk that. He'll drink first and then finish off the poor, doubtlessly suffering creature at his feet.

Slowly, he rises again, reaches for the chalice, and drinks down the bitter water in one go.

Ah, so that's what "bitter" tastes like... Humans are right, it's awful.]

[notquitetamed]

[Well, unfortunately for Yuber, it would seem Hawk can hear that and he knows very well that that means. He may not be able to move, but he can definitely give a sign that he's aware of what is going on and otherwise is harmless enough. If needed, he'll get more violent until he can finally move again.

So after Yuber finishes drinking from the other chalice, he'll have the equivalent of a bucket of water falling down on his head. Hmm, wonder where that may have come from?]

Siren

[ofsilverflame]

Of course, what Hawk sees is not what Chris sees. The hows and whys of why she's here don't matter so much as the fact that Hawk is also here, and for some reason, spoiling for a fight with the creature. But she does pick up the way he's moving, and something seems off about it. Has he been drugged somehow?

Right now, the immediate task is to stop him from biting off more than he can chew. As Hawk approaches the bath where the creature is waiting, she smoothly steps in front of him, and puts her hand on his chest, gently, to try and get him to stop.

"Hawk, what exactly are you doing?" She asks, her voice even, thinking there might be some sort of magic tomfoolery going on here.

[notquitetamed]

Even if Chris could see exactly what he was seeing, she wouldn't recognize the man. It's not just a worthy opponent, it's Master Chatelard himself, who should be dead. Of course even that fact doesn't strike Hawk as strange. The man had also been a homunculus, so who's to say that another hadn't been created. If one had been able to be created, the cycle could continue just like it did for the rest of them.

Gently trying to get him to stop isn't going to work. Not with how much of a threat this opponent is. Still, he's not so far gone that he doesn't hear Chris. If anything, that makes him moire determined because he remembers very well how this man killed Rosvita and defeated him without any effort. But Hawk is stronger than he was when he lost his duel. Even if it had taken all six Monstrums to put this bastard down for good, this time he'll do it alone and show he's stronger than anyone and he's not losing control of himself. "Step aside Chris and get out of here. I don't need your help to beat Master Chatelard again. He's my opponent, not yours."

[ofsilverflame]

The hand becomes firmer as Chris' expression hardens. Seems she's decided to stand her ground on this one. The name doesn't suit the creature waiting in the pools, so that lends credence to the idea Hawk is ensorcelled somehow. "I guarantee you, that is not who you think it is. Hawk, think. How did you come to be here? What were you doing before you found yourself here, seeing this Chatelard fellow again? Doesn't it seem strange to you?"

Just to be safe she repositions herself so she is now fully standing between Hawk and the pool. "You're not going in. I'm sorry, but I can't let you. Your mind is clouded. That's no way to fight."

[notquitetamed]

Unfortunately when it comes to Chatelard, Hawk already tends to have a one track mind. It's even worse now that the man is an actual threat with the fact that all of them were given the choice of join his rebellion or die and instead they chose to fight and kill him.

But what he also doesn't realize is that deep down he wants to be like he was before they killed Chatelard and that's actually what the siren is doing by showing him this illusion. Back then he had something to strive towards and a meaning to his life. After that and with the truths they were given, he's become a complete mess that is horrifying to most and he'd had to walk away from his most trusted allies. "I'm not letting you get in the way. I'm not joining his stupid rebellion and I'm not letting him kill me or hurt you."

And to give himself an extra burst of strength, he's going to activate his berserker ability. Chris will recognize the red eyes, but this time he looks different. This time the aura surrounding him is a pure red with not a hint of darkness within it, unlike before where it was a mix. He doesn't look demonic now, he's just ready to give this his all and win this. And the first thing he needs to do is to get Chris to get out of the way. He doesn't want to hurt her, but she shouldn't get involved here. So he'll go ahead and try to push her away from him, probably a bit too forcefully.

[ofsilverflame]

Chris steps back in surprise as the berserker rage takes effect. Then the push comes and makes her stumble, almost falling backwards, though she manages to catch herself in time.

For a moment, she can't process that Hawk just shoved her aside, heedless of anything other than that monster in the water he clearly believed was someone else. This whole thing reeks of...of...of foolishness!

Straightening herself up, her expression set and one of determination (and more than a little annoyance at this complete load of bunkum), she strides forward as Hawk approaches the edge of the pond and places her hand very firmly on his shoulder, pulling him around to face her.

"Hawk, you are not yourself at the moment, and it appears you need some help coming to your senses." Her other hand balls into a fist and she pulls it back. "Do forgive me when you've come back around."

And then Chris decks him. Her usual methods of getting ornery soldiers to fall back in line would be of dubious effectiveness where Hawk was concerned even if he wasn't currently ensorcelled. Hopefully a more sudden and definite shock will get him back to rights.

"And you!" She swings her arm around as Hawk reels, and points a finger towards the siren. "You stay where you are. I am in no mood for any more of this nonsense today."

[notquitetamed]

Unfortunately for Chris, Hawk when he's like this is not exactly an easy person to take down. The fact that he can ignore a lot of normal weaknesses until he outright exhausts himself definitely makes it take a bit more effort to physically knock sense into him. True, he's caught a bit off guard by Chris suddenly attacking but that's about it. However, that was enough to get him off balance a bit.

And because of that he's going to grab at whatever is closest to him which looks to be Chris. Since he's not really looking at what he's grabbing onto, there's also no guarantee he's not going to happen to grab something inappropriate.