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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Darin, of course I'm going to stay here with you. You're still the first other person I've met who actually wants to make this realm your new home.

But you don't want to stay here only with me, do you? Wouldn't you rather have as many friends as possible living here with you, as well?

I...I mean, yeah...of course not...!

[He meant she didn't have to stay here in the pools. Where he's naked. And she's wearing a robe that hopefully is still staying on.]

[But it's probably better she clarified that too! Because it would be weird and forward to have her live with him!]

[But she's still clinging to him and he hates to admit that he really likes this. But he doesn't want to call attention to anything or she might stop!]

...I...still need to thank you...for saving me. I hope it didn't bother you that it...technically took the form of...you...

[Smooth! And also probably a bad time to remind Allura that some 'things' were different!]

... yes. Technically. [For the briefest of moments, her voice gets icy, and that hug is probably feeling more like she's attempting to crush his torso.]

I did notice that you embellished in a few places. [She lets that hang in the air for a moment, before she continues:] The mask, for example.

[Okay. Okay. Let's see if he realizes his life is in peril, and takes the warning. Back to the subject at hand.]

But it was... strange to see that monster take my form. I have to wonder if it was merely because my actions at the masquerade had bothered you so much — or if it was trying to get under my skin as well.

Actually...I think it's because I thought you were the most stunning person at the entire thing. I thought about you for weeks.

[He...doesn't make a comment about the embellishment. Likely because that dress did very good things for her already ample bust. Maybe that's why he remembered it that way? ~~Let's go with that.~~]

...I...really had a good time that night. Up until...well...

... really? [She can feel her own cheeks getting hot.] I... I suppose it was a nice dress, wasn't it?

It... was a nice evening, up until I spoiled it. Do you think you're ready to forgive me for that yet?

We were the only two dressed up...

[He considers it for a minute...and then smiles.]

Yeah...I think I can.

...On one condition.

We...do it again? Maybe without the masks...?

All right. I can agree to that.

... but besides that, can we still get dressed up again?

[Or at least wear clothes? It's one of a few things that's making this seem like a less than ideal time for a dance. The bloodied water and the monster's body laying in it are also important factors.]

Well...I've never really been fond of suits but...

...I think I can be persuaded to wear one for you.

[It's not that bad. The water is still pretty clear by the edge of the pool. At least Allura doesn't seem interested in letting Darin go yet. Or is she just using the prolonged cuddle session as an excuse to feel up his chest?]

[Regardless, their faces are still awfully close...]

[And if the smile he's giving her is any indication, he's being sincere.]

[It is... a remarkably nice smile.]

[Allura's pulse spikes again as her heart pounds a little in her chest. But her brain starts working even faster, looking for ways to rationalize it away. There's been so much happening today! She likely still has a lot of adrenaline in her system after battling the monster. And then they talked out a lot of things, and they're revisiting that night at the masquerade, and...]

[And she is still holding him, and he is still not wearing any clothes.]

[Kicking herself for having drawn this out so far, weirdly far, she starts to untangle her arms from him.] ... r... right. I should probably stop squeezing the air out of your lungs, shouldn't I?

[A small but deep breath to recollect herself, and she responds properly:] I'm actually surprised, though. You wore that outfit remarkably well.

Oh...yeah. If you...If you want. I mean...I enjoyed it. It was...

I was nice. I mean. I wouldn't min trying to hug you back...? I guess...

But...if you want to go somewhere else or...or go...get comfortable? I mean, I think the pools are safe now, I was thinking of soaking a bit more in one of the others...

[Okay well, it looks like her robe is still on...that's...why does he have conflicting feelings about that? Why does it have to be so open in the first place? Seriously, Allura, it's really hard not to look at your cleavage...!]

I...Well, maybe I'll...let you pick out what you see me in next...

[~~You could just say you want to see him like this and get it over with~~]

Wait... pick it out? I haven't the first idea what would fit you. Are you suggesting that you want to go on a shopping trip with me?

[Because it's strange, how quickly he's gone from wanting nothing to do with her to having a whole agenda of plans for the two of them. Is gratitude helping to sort out his feelings this quickly?]

I can't promise I know anything about picking out an outfit for men. I'm barely able to decide what I ought to wear myself... [She turns then, considering his offer about going to another pool.] Do you think it's safe to go to another pool? How can we be sure there won't be another monster waiting for us?

I mean...why not? Not like I know any better.

And...if there's something else, we'll deal with it. But...if you don't want to, I understand.

I just hate to waste this little perk.

[He stands then and prepares to head deeper into the cave to find a new pool. His clothes? He doesn't really know where they are now and it's not really a concern of his.]

What, of the relaxation spring? I have to question if there was ever any truth to it. But... I suppose there's only way we'd know for sure...

[She watches him walk... and quickly averts her eyes again. What, did she forget what state he was in?]

[Softly, she clears her throat, and then asks...]

Are you not going to get one of the robes for the springs...? Or something to cover up?

...Why?

Do you wear clothes when you take a bath?

[For a moment, it looks like he might turn fully but stops.]

You can't compare this to a private bath! There's other people here! I'm here!

Does it really not bother you that I can see your... well, everything?

Not...really? Anything I was ashamed of you already know about me. Including how I got the scar on my back.

What else have I got to be ashamed of?

It's not what's on your back that you should be worried about — it's what's on your front!

That's not something you ought to be showing freely to other people, especially not to women! It's undignified!

Well, then I'll walk in front? I don't know where my robe is! I'm sorry!!

But...

[~~She can see still see things from behind him, if her eyes start to stray.~~]

[With a sigh, she accepts that maybe she should just let it drop.]

All right. I hadn't meant to berate you about it. I merely... didn't think humans were so brazen about these things. [Are they? Because she can't help but think this is just a Darin thing.]

Most aren't? But...if I'm being honest, my body is actually something I'm proud of. I worked hard to get like this. And the only scar is the one across my back.

...If it bothers you, I can try and find something to cover up with.

[Wow he's...actually trying to be considerate?]

[If he were watching her, he would see her expression shift into something mildly taken aback. Partly because of him actually being mindful of her comfort, sure, but besides that? His explanation makes more sense than she expected. And after how much training she's been through, she can appreciate just hoe much work it would take to—]

[It's a trick, she's looking at his physique again. She averts her gaze.]

... I didn't mean to imply that you shouldn't be proud of yourself. It's more...

[The best explanation she can think of points out the intimacy of sharing that with another person. But the fact that it contains the word 'intimacy' is enough for her to discard it, not wanting to point out that this whole encounter has been rife with intimacy.]

Isn't that something you'd only want to share to someone you're very close to?

[There. It's only a slight change, but it's enough to help the tone.]

I thought we just got done discussing how I don't have anyone like that and never did.

...Allura, it's fine. If you'd rather leave I can explore by myself. I'm sure the trial is over I'm just...gonna clean myself up. Maybe enjoy the scenery a bit.

[He offers her a bit of a smile.]

You don't have to babysit me.

That doesn't mean you never will, does it?

Look, I'm not here to chaperone you or fuss over you. I'm...

[What are you doing here, Allura? She's well aware that it would probably be better for everyone involved if she did leave, and yet...]

I'm trying to understand you better. So that we might avoid these sorts of problems in the future. [It's downright thematic for her: Looking forward, towards what may come.]

[He scoffs.]

What problems? Where I rush on ahead and you sigh and complain about how I'm so much different than everyone else?

[He smirks and says this playfully.]

[He also turns around to face her, hands on his hips.]

Darin...!!

[Her whole body visibly jerks back in shock when he, more or less, presents his lower regions to her. Yes, she remembers how he had said he was proud of his body! But isn't this a bit much?]

[However, she doesn't look away right away. You could chalk it up to the sheer shock to her system, the way it's hard to look away from other stunning things particularly when you know you shouldn't be seeing it. Or perhaps there's some curiosity there — has she ever seen a human in this light before?]

[However, she collects herself, her already red face now flushing deeper shades as she averts her gaze, and holds up her hand towards him. Possibly in the universal gesture of stop, possibly to put a physical barrier between her line of sight and him.]

Wh— what happened to walking in front of me...?! [He's technically still in front, Allura, isn't he?]

Edited 2021-06-01 05:52 (UTC)

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