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

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)

What? It's fine. Couldn't you see my front when you were hugging me?

Yes, but—

[She huffs, knowing that admitting that alone is probably a mistake.]

That doesn't mean I did! And don't say that as if it were the reason I hugged you! It was to show that I was serious about what I was saying! I hug all my friends!

... though they always have their clothes on when I do!

[By getting defensive about one thing, she might have just hurt her argument for another.]

I'm...glad for that?

[Really, he is. If it had been differently...he might have felt a twinge of jealousy.]

Look, I think I hear more running water back there. If there's another pool I'm gonna take a dip.

[He honestly doesn't care that she can see everything. Which is why he's turning and heading for that other pool.]

If it bothers you so much, you can go back. I'm not stopping you.

No, I'm coming! I said I would, and I'm not backing out just because of that!

[Besides, how much will she be able to see past the surface of the water? Once they get in, she might not even remember that he's undressed. (... or so she thinks to herself, despite the fact that she's had a difficult time getting her mind off it so far.)]

Besides, whether there's any truth to the relaxation or not, I could likely use the bath. After everything that happened, I have to think I was cleaner when I first arrived... [Self-consciously, she wipes some of the sweat off her arm. And... leaves it in areas she wouldn't touch in front of him, back turned or not.]

[It's just from the battle, though. Battling works up quite a sweat, doesn't it?]

...Wait, you're getting in with me?

[He thought she was just going to...you know. Look out for more danger.]

Yes...? [And then, uncomfortably.] I thought you had invited me to do so. Why, should I not...?

[She should probably be catty about having to ask. After all, Darin has now been fully exposed in front of her. How could he possibly be uncomfortable about sharing a public spring with her, where there ought to be more than enough room for them to stay out of each other's personal space?]

[But instead, she sounds a little distressed at the thought that maybe she's the one who misread his boundaries.]

[He turns to look at her more fully...and he's looking rather carefully at her spa robe.]

Do you...have a swimsuit on...under that...?

[He likely knows the answer but...]

[Well, either way, he's certainly willing himself to not get too excited since both answers were...for lack of a better word...tantalizing.]

[Hopefully Allura is too busy trying to avert her gaze that she won't notice any slight changes.]

N... no... [And her cheeks flush again, and with her eyes firmly pointed at the wall, she pulls the robe a little tighter to her body with her hands. As if she doesn't even realize how loose the sash is, and assumes that it merely needs to be adjusted.]

But as you said, it's meant to be a bath! As long as I have this on while I'm out of the water, it shouldn't be a problem!

[... shouldn't be. There's so many holes in that. The moment when she'll be entering the water. If Darin's able to open his eyes under the surface. Or even just the knowledge of her being in the bath with him... right?]

That isn't the problem!

L-Look! You can just...take a bath. And then when you're all done...I'll take one! Okay?? We don't have to be in together!

[For once, it looks like there's quite a bit of color in Darin's cheeks and he's doing his best to avoid ogling her now.]

[She scowls, but it's a confused scowl. As if she's not really sure why this is where he, in all his exhibitionist glory, decides to draw the line.]

And... what will you do in the meantime? Stand around outside? [Think about what actions are matching the sounds of splashing water he hears?]

Look, we are both adults. [As has been thoroughly put on display already.] I'm sure we can manage this without too much trouble.

...Fine. We...are both adults...

[He continues on to find the source of the water. It is, in fact, another pool.]

[Except this one is considerably smaller. In fact...it's probably about the size of a small public bath. It's spherical, which means there's no rocky out-croppings to hide behind...and the water is crystal clear.]

[There is some steam though...not that it's going to obscure much at this distance...but at least the pool is nice and hot. And they're far enough away from the entrance that it's unlikely anyone will be coming to make things more awkward.]

[Darin's about to about-face when...well, she did say they were both adults. So, before she can protest (or he has second thoughts) he goes ahead and climbs in.]

...Well...good news...it's not nearly as deep as the other one...

[In fact,the water stops just below his chest.]

[Allura had lagged a short distance behind him, as if the physical distance would make it easier to ignore their state of dress. As if anything would make it easier to ignore. So he'll get to see her reaction as she lays eyes on the pool. And how she seems to lurch back when she does — not jumping back so much as bristling away.]

[What has she gotten herself into?]

H... hold on, are you sure this is the only one? Perhaps there's a larger one nearby. [She cranes her head around to look, but nothing catches her eye. Nothing but the usual decorations of the springs, including a stone fountain that's spouting more water into the pool.]

[If she were to think about it logically, it's not that strange that there would be such a discrepancy in the size of the pools. After all, this one wasn't made to accommodate a monster trying to prey on visitors.]

[But who's thinking logically right now, hmm?]

[He watches her bristle and can't fight the way his stomach knots up.]

[What was he thinking?? Of course she'd be feeling uncomfortable! And while he knows it has nothing to do with the fact that it's him and that it's more an issue of modesty...]

[That look is just too close to so many looks he's gotten for comfort. It was practically the same look she gave him that night at the masquerade.]

[So, he turns his back to her and folds his arms on the furthest edge of the pool from her, then rests his head on them.]

...I won't turn around. I give you my word. Go ahead and wash up and when you're decent, I'll turn around. Or you can wash up and let me know when you're leaving and I'll head on out myself.

[So he stays with his scarred back to her and, like promised, he doesn't turn around. He doesn't even move his head in a way where it could be misunderstood as peeking.]

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

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

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

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

It's deep enough to sit.

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

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

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