Subject: P.S. I will still leave it to reader's discretion, though.
Author:
Posted on: 2016-01-28 22:49:00 UTC
If you prefer to think that the simulated pain is just a fraction of the real one, you're by all means free to.
Who knows? Considering how HQ works, maybe the ones who expect full pain feel it while the others don't.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dbgm47Ex9B5BNyja-1mhWiOU_zmRBj3TfbwwE-jg8yg/pub
There might be a few mistakes as I'm a bit in an hurry ATM, but I felt like not making too long of a wait.
If you have Agents in, feel free to make a introductory paragraph for your team - I'll work that in ass soon as I get back from work.
Androia and Hieronymus will not be there. They probably fell back into the plothole or time vortex or wherever they had come from, where they may have a chat about why he didn’t show more of an emotional reaction to her death. (He is used to seeing her die in-game; it’s not a big deal. Just spend some money on repairing the damage and she’s fine again. But telling her that he is the guy who literally pulled her strings might be a very bad idea.)
If this had been in continuity, it would happen between ”First Encounter” and their first mission, and I’m surprised how good it fits in there. It’s probably how Neshomeh said: an exercise in making the random events look in-character. I should try this talent-I-didn’t-know-I-possess at some of the random permission prompts, if there weren’t so much else to do.
Androia sends her apologies to Nikki. Thanks to Sergio for hosting the event and to DCCCV for pointing us to the generator in the first place.
HG
Henry: Well, second place isn't that bad, specially since apparently I got the same number of kills as the winner did, so that's good. Going temporally insane twice and ending up killing people I really didn't want to kill aside, this was a really fun experience. It sure was much more fun than fighting any Sues. Like I said before, agents are much smarter and more strategic, so this was more of a challenge.
Seems that there's going to be a party after this. It will be nice to meet up with Aiko again and I also really want to talk to Sergio and Corolla.
Field Commander Lola McCandless: I... I think I ran out of people to kill now. Which means back on the Skyra - er, sorry, back home. To a place that's not the Mountain. It's over. It's all over.
And I won.
And I'm... not sure how to feel about that. I mean, yeah, great, victory over a bunch of really hardcore agents, but I wanted to learn more about them and I'm terrified about how much I learned about myself. And, from what people have said, my partner. It's intimidating.
You've almost got to feel sorry for any Suvians that come our way for a bit. But right now? I am going to have a drink. They're on me, everyone, and all the contestants are invited. Even the Pokémon. Especially the Pokémon. The thought of that little pink guy off his tits just makes me laugh, and we could all do with a bit of that right now. Sorry if I'm not being especially coherent, but I've just come out of the second-worst camping holiday I've ever been on.
XCOM out. =]
From Night 4, Dafydd and Hieronymus snuggle:
For a given value of 'snuggle'.
And from Night 5, Selene and Dafydd hold hands:
For a given value of 'hold hands'.
(The only remaining picture that springs out is Nume doctoring Ave, but I'm still trying to find a way to get references for that, so it may not happen.)
hS
But you got the hair wrong. May I point you to the OFUA application: receding hairline and lots of facial hair. Although it’s questionable whether this is actually the same Hieronymus.
HG
Better, I hope?
hS
I can probably edit in a receding hairline without too much trouble. The beard was based on the picture on the Wiki, but looking again I did rather understate it... again, I can probably tweak that.
(Didn't know you gave concrit for pictures as well as words! ^_~)
hS
Kaitlyn
So that's what dysentery is? Huh. Nasty. I guess I should've listened to Lola when she said I looked a bit ill.
Oh well! It was a fun game. Except for the dying part, I could've given that a miss.
The pre-game interviews are being (slowly) worked into the report, but I'd sure appreciate if you took on the commentaries as I have to set up the RP right now.
And, considering how much players have dwindled, I might have to bundle reports together in the next days.
Henry: Ok so, after I ended up losing sight of that girl I was keeping track of, I ended up grouping with Kaitlyn and Lola. Things were going well until we got ambushed by another group of three people, including the person I was following before and ... Sergio. Unfortunately, I was the one who ended up fighting him. Ended up in a swordfight with him. I have to say, guy fought rather well, but I ended up defeating and eliminating him. I'm really sorry about having had to do that, specially after accidently killing his partner earlier. Hope I can make it up to them after this is over.
And then since two other people ended up dying by themselves, it turns that there's only the three of us left in this. So I decided that it would best to run away and hide for now.
((Glaurung it, RNG, why do you keep doing this to me? Yes, I'm really glad that Henry got into the Final Three, but I didn't want him to be the one to take out two of my favorite agents, dammit!))
Neither Sergio nor Corolla took offense at all. I mean, killing each other was pretty much all what this game was about after all.
It's just that I'm really sorry that it had to happen that way and I thought it would be appropriate for Henry to say something like that.
Field Commander Lola McCandless: Never trust a Time Lord. Never. The irony is that I'd invited Morgan to stay. I left a message on some tree bark near where she tends to hang around. I wanted to see her. And look where that got me. At least I've, I've made a podium finish. That's something. I let Kaitlyn run away, too, this afternoon. That's something too.
I think I had a flashback during the ambush. It'd certainly explain some things. I think a few of my perks from the Mountain are still active, too; I managed to get a shot off with Sergio's gun even though it was empty thanks to Lock'n'Load, and Shredder Ammo's still active. Yeah. It, um. It made a bit of a mess of Morgan. Confirmed kill, and then I had to deal with Library dying of an infected [Censored] wound because she wouldn't [cCensored] tell anyone the stupid proud [Really, really censored] --
It's just a game. It's just a game. I'm not going back to the Long War, they're not here.
Algernon, 7th Earl Wymbourne: Well then. I did not see that coming. Which, one supposes, is rather the point of a well-placed mine. Ah, but at least I have the tender mercies of FicPsych to look forward too. I hope I haven't made too much of a fool of myself in recent days... and I require a bath. Possibly several.
I shall also be sending my regards to the Aviator. While a game, I fear I may have done something in poor taste while in the grip of my madness. Perhaps involving a rabbit, if I remember right. Hm. Ah! I have it. I know just what to send. If you'll forgive me, I must away!
I'm trying to decide whether Morgan deserved being shredded...
On balance, probably. She got a bit overly tetchy towards the end.
I will miss Algie's madness, though.
hS
She had absolutely no idea whether or not her perks from XCOM: Long War would even work outside of that universe. Plus, she felt betrayed by a Time Lord. Again. That'll hurt.
You have something in store for her and the Notary, right?
How you end up inside XCOM after coming from the Whoniverse If they're really the very same Lola). I'm sure this will make a very interesting sotry...
Library: It turns out simulated infections can also cause simulated high temperature fevers. That was unpleasant. I wish luck for the competitors still in the game. Hopefully it won't turn out too traumatic.
(Well, that's all of mine out! I'm still surprised Library lasted this long.)
I mean, going out with an infection early on is one thing, but lasting through to the last handful and then succumbing? Just not fair.
hS
Especially considering the lot she was surviving with/against!
Alternate Link
I considered giving Morgan her Tigereye Castellan collar, but it would've blocked too much of her face.
Remaining Huggle Games images to do:
-Dafydd and HG huddling for warmth.
-Selene persuading herself to leave Dafydd be.
-... anything that comes up in the rest of the game?
Huh. Nearly done, then. But all the cuddly animals are gone. :-/
hS
But sod it, that's exactly what I'm gonna do. =oD
Thank you so much for doing all this art... and especially of my characters. I really appreciate it. =]
*looks around and then bookmarks it for posterity*
...if nothing else comes up during the rest of the game and you still want something to draw, there's always Nume and Ave b****ing at each other. :P
Nume is kneeling with one leg across the back of Ave's thighs and one hand on her shoulder to hold her down, trying to pick shrapnel out of her back without killing her while she's thrashing about and swearing at him.
"Stop—stop—stoppit! Quit squirming, idiot; I'm trying to help you. Dammit, woman, hold still! D'you want to be paralyzed? And shut up, or someone will hear you and pick us off like the sitting ducks we are right now." >:<br>
This bodes so well for them ever working together again.
~Neshomeh
'man pinning woman to floor'
'man holding woman down'
'man wrestling woman to ground'
How do I safely look for references for this?!
hS, critical Google fail
"man kneeling"
"woman lying on stomach"
"performing first aid" also turns up some reasonably good hits (and a few with actual injuries and blood, so beware of that).
~Neshomeh, Google-fu adept.
... I'm trying to figure out what you meant by 'kneeling with one leg across the back of Ave's thighs'. Is that an outstretched leg, or is he half-straddling her legs, or is it just awkward? Once I've got that, yeah, good idea, and I'll definitely take that advice.
It has become vital that I draw this. Vital.
hS
Thinking about it further, maybe he can only get a knee on her nearest leg without breaking himself in the process. He's got long legs, but still. Sadly, Phobos is away at work, so I can't try it out and see what's physically possible at the moment.
Good luck, and thanks, by the way! ^_^
~Neshomeh
Lessons learnt from this picture:
-When women lie on their fronts, they stick their legs in the air.
-When women lie on their fronts, they take their tops off.
-When women look over their shoulders, they take their tops off.
-Women are incapable of keeping their tops on in photos.
-Rumpled clothes are hard to draw.
-Anger is hard to draw.
-Splicing images together is hard.
-Scale is hard.
-Drawing is hard.
-Scanning pencil drawings is hard.
-Doing stuff is hard.
-Wah.
hS
Nume is also grateful that Ave kept her top on. ^_^
The foreshortening on her is actually quite good, so kudos!
~Neshomeh
The Aviator: *stares at the picture for a while* "Well, at least I have my top on."
(Seriously, your commentary made me giggle.)
Just because she's had worse doesn't mean she can't be a giant baby about it.
"You stoppit, I'll be able to just leave this f****** arena—ow! Where the f*** did you learn you learn f***** first aid ow ow ow!"
Oh, that reminds me, did you get my email? We have planning to do.
"I'll have you know my parents were a surgeon and a nurse who met during their service in World War II, thank you very much. But hey, if you want out so bad, I think I still have some Single Tears left in my canteen..."
(At least, I'm pretty sure that's true. I haven't felt like revising that bit of his backstory lately, so it'll probably stick. [Incidentally, my paternal grandfather was a Navy medic. Have I mentioned that Nume is very loosely based on my dad?])
E-mail? If it was a recent e-mail, no, I don't have it. If I forgot to reply to one from a while back, my apologies. I'll check my inbox.
~Neshomeh
"And keep that s*** away from me! Ow! Ow! Last thing I—ow!—need is for the DIA to come swooping in because my tracker went haywire again OW! Get off!"
"I swear to god, all Time Lords are children. I'm out of here. Good luck on your own!"
... And then he went and got himself killed. Good job, Nume.
~Neshomeh
Though, I wonder, if they had stuck together, Algie might've bit it sooner and the Lola/Library fight would've been two-on-two instead of two against one.
Though how well Nume and Ave would've fared in direct combat... that's a different matter entirely.
~Iximaz, speculating
Dafydd
... bother.
Morgan
With everything that's been happening, I decided this was it: do or (heh) die time. My pursuer teamed up with two of - I thought - the easiest people for me to win against: Lola (who I figured was probably still infatuated with me) and that girl who thinks she's a hobbit.
To further stack the odds, I teamed up with two of the other survivors: the two former agents. I mean, they must be good in a fight, right?
Yeah. Didn't go so well. Oh, well.
Can I have that drink now?
Kaitlyn
Soooo there's only three of us now? I ran into Lola and Henry last night, but then we got attacked! I guess all the other Tributes were in on the attack, because they're all dead this morning.
I wish that meant it was just me and my friends, but I don't really trust Lola; she's a bit scary. Neither does Henry, I think - he's gone into hiding.
But, I mean, wow - there's only three of us? That must mean it'll be over soon...
Sergio: Well... I guess I really should've kept going with the same strategy that kept me in the game until now. Joined Dafydd and Morgan into staging an ambush - and it didn't work out that well. I ran out of ammo for my gun before we managed to get even one of them ,and had to resort to Nikki's Device - apparently, the holodeck's rendition of it is usable in Saber form by anyone - but Henry is much better experienced as a fencer than I am. The result is obvious.
... one of your agents lasted this long. It would've been really depressing if you'd set this all up only to see your entire team go out on day 2 or something.
I like to think Morgan has now dragged the other two to Rudi's to complain at length about the events of the game...
hS
Since almost everyone seems to be going to Rudi's anyway. Whaddaya say, folks?
~Neshomeh
As long as Sergio's people hand over the trophy during it. ;)
(This will be the second time Selene and Kaitlyn have gotten drunk together, though I don't think I published the other one...)
hS
Or someone who is not me, anyway. Not that there should be much to actually run, but still, I don't wanna.
Not least because I haven't actually tried to use T-Board yet. We need accounts there, right?
~Neshomeh
We switched to that, didn't we?
Uhhhh.
I probably won't be able to participate whatsoever then.
I'm trying to come up with a solution to this that isn't 'hS offers to copy every post in the entire RP over to July's email'. It's not going well.
If you had someone(s) specific you wanted them to talk to I could probably copy a sub-thread or two?
hS, helpful, apparently
There may be an opportunity for otherwise for a bit, and I can see if I can get it to load at all. It's honestly super up in the air if it will at all.
July
Not on this internet, anyways.
I know it's on the wiki under the community header, but this internet is slow enough that they don't do the load and dropdown list so I can't see those at all, and it's not on the Community Portal page itself.
Oh well.
... from my index page. T-Board is close to top-left on the map, or is linked further down.
hS
I can always relay stuff to you.
Link to the Other Board is here.
But sure, I can start it myself if you want.
There's not too much to know about Rudi's. It's a big pub. They have a stage for live music and whatnot, which is perfect for awarding the trophy. That pretty much covers it. {= ) It does have a wiki page which includes an image of the layout, though, which is handy for keeping track of who can be where.
~Neshomeh
Though I have to be careful about how I write them. After all, they're... kind of spoiler characters from Blank Sprite.
They're in a bar with 48 people they just commentated on the painful deaths of. Are they really going to hang around? ^_~
hS
Aya might be unsure (something like "what if they didn't like what we said?") but Kuroko wouldn't see any problem.
About the fact that they commented on simulated deaths... they both know the concept of real death very well.
(In fact, if Blank Sprite was already over, Aya could've commented on some of those deaths in the "Oh, I died that way once" sort of way)
... that they're in a room full of people whose pain they made light of live on television.
A room full of heavily-armed people.
None of whom are terribly stable.
hS
As long as people don't mind waiting on me too much.
Colt and Gerry will definitely be there, and Library no doubt feels she owes apologies to people.
....
-July, who just realized that in-universe JF is actually old enough to drink legally, good god in heaven
I have a feeling my agents will be particularly sulky.
Algie will be slightly late due to a prior engagement with FicPsych. And will arrive thoroughly voltage-calmed. =]
Though Farilan is probably going to start sulking when she realizes Ilraen is there. :P
Zeb and Alex will be more sociable, though. Ave... Eh. Maybe she'll pull her face away from her drink long enough to say hello.
Count me in.
Though expect Gaspard sitting in the far corner of the room and avoiding all contact with Harris.
He's still 200% mad.
Especially since Agent!Sergio doesn't drink.
(AKA, in which hS learns that taking five minutes less to draw the image can lead to ten minutes of tidying up once it's scanned...)
I don't think Sergio feels very comfortable with this.
hS ^_^
Once out of the arena, he would basically go back to his normal self right away.
Especially considering he usually managed to be his normal self while still having a ton of unresolved issues pre-Blank Sprite.
Henry: Today went rather well, all things considered. But I'm still quite ... shaken up
From what happened earlier and causing another death didn't really help matters. I know this is just a game on one of those ... holodeck things, but these simulated deaths are still really brutal.
After all that happened, I ended up splitting up from Sergio and I'm currently following someone. I still can't believe that there only 8 of us left in this thing ...
Library: I spent the last couple nights in preparation, and it paid off fairly well. When I returned to the cornucopia I ended up in a fight with the Time Lady Morgan, and Gerry, and ended up killing Gerry. I hope she won't hold that against me after this is finished. Afterwards, I temporarily joined up with Algie's partner Lola, and we managed to kill the Aviator. There can't very many of us left. I wonder how soon this will end?
Gerry: Okay, okay, maybe I should have laid off on the sodding ghost stories and got some proper rest instead; Denny's girlfriend ended up taking me out when Morgan and I got into a fight with her. Didn't see that one coming, but Cal is a quiet one. Figures. I need to collect the money from the bet I made with Colt. At least I won that. *grumbling*
___
Well Library became a bit scary with this last bit.
Stupid! Stupid!! Stupid!!! Why didn't I stay with Kaitlyn?! We could have found this crate together.
Crunch. Munch, munch. Gulp. Yeah, the cave. That wasn't actually my cave; Dafydd had driven me out there. I guess it might be the cave Laura found the first day and abandoned for the flood; there were still some puddles of Sue tears. I had only just arrived myself when Kaitlyn showed up, and I made the same mistake again, not exploring the deeper depths of the hole immediately.
Munch. Munch. Gulp. No, I don't blame Kaitlyn for distracting me. Kaitlyn is nice. Dafydd hadn't had anything to share but warmth, having been dispossessed the previous night. Communicating with Tacitus had been difficult; if he possessed anything edible, sharing it was apparently not included in working together. But Kaytlyn shared her last food with me, and I had nothing to give her. I just had to go to get something.
And then the vampire got me.
Derik
*stares blankly at the camera*
...
I hate this game. If—hm? Well, what do you think happened? I'm half-blind. It does leave one somewhat vulnerable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go apologize to several people and then get extremely drunk.
(( And that's me out. Cheers, y'all! ))
Field Commander Lola McCandless: The other night, Morgan mentioned to me that there were ways her people could track each other, kinda like a psychic trail. Time Lords are seriously damn dangerous, though, I know from experience, so I started monitoring them closely. Plus side, though, I've keeping fit and fed, and I met up with Library again! She's still nice, and she's actually a pretty decent tracker. Would've had her sent to Scout training back in the Mountain, no question. And... we got her. Yeah, she was wounded, yeah, it was two on one, but in the early days of the Long War that was how you killed Sectoids and Thin Men without getting a face full of plasma. Partial kill on a Time Lord. I'm... going to go and think for a bit.
Algernon, 7th Earl Wymbourne: Yes. Yes! The stars, as certain treatises on the darkest magics of the multiverse say, are indubitably coming right, haha! While I contemplated my inevitable victory over the ragbag of tawdry, gullible beings who have succumbed to archaic notions of sanity, the magic caught! All the truly great magicians have been at least slightly mad, and since I am completely mad that appears to have put me at some considerable advantage! I tested a simple spell to compel a river spirit to fish for me... and lo, this was achieved! Ha! My magic is undeniable now! They shall bow! Bow before me! As is only right!
... if Algie tried to summon a fairy and, through translation error by the multiverse, accidentally dragged Dafydd halfway across the Arena to meet him.
Dafydd would not laugh.
hS
The other 50? Corolla. (Well, she's out of the game, but you have to agree that she's just as likely to get accidentally mistook for a fairy, if not more.)
... is that there was never an instance of Corolla snuggling with anyone. Because that would be adorable to draw.
hS
Nothing says they couldn't have cuddled. ;)shhh just ignore what the RNG said
(Currently drawing Zeb and Za'kiir, it's kind of adorable. Sleepy zaplion!)
hS
I'm seriously considering the Golden Luxray Rider as the trophy for this year.
I tend to be the spark behind many crazy things.
Have I ever mentioned that many years ago I... er... was actually the spark behind a roundrobin badfic that, when it was abandoned, had almost reached 95k words, or 243 pages of Word in 12pt Times New Roman?
This weird ability of mine is scary.
...snuggling his mane, I suppose it works. :P
And oh, yeah. Hehe, forgot about Zeb and Za'kiir holding hands. (Paws?) Can't wait to see it. :3
(Not on Photobucket, because Photobucket has gone to sleep again.)
This is even more adorable than I planned. ^_^
hS
Do you have a visual reference for Lola? She requires art.
hS
Other things to bear in mind:-
Lola is five foot dead and rather more muscular than this picture makes her look. At present, she doesn't have a gun to my knowledge. Her eyes look like that because they've been modified to have hyper-reactive pupils. There are a few more scars. Also, she's missing her right ear after a gunfight. Also also, I couldn't find dog tags in Rinmaru. Which sucked. Ah well.
I hope that's of any use at all to you. =]
Given my level of art-skills, things like 'muscles' and 'consistent height' are probably not going to work their way in.
Also now I need to come up with a pose without getting myself in trouble for searching things like 'girls making out' on Google... ^_~
hS
But do you intend to make this Lola interact with the Notary? Cannot believe her name would be pure chance.
By the way, Rinmaru has got dog tags, Third and Fourth Aviator both have them. And despite the other additions you couldn't do here, I find this picture really nice.
The Aviator: I was still hurt from the explosion and that crazy bloke attacking me--do you really think two against one was doing me any favors?
Whatever. I'm off for a drink. And then I'm going to have some words with my brother and partner.
~~~
Well, her odds were 1/17 last I checked. Not surprised she got eliminated. Still, darn.
Tacitus
On one paw, my sleep was interrupted by a maniac who reached into my hole, pulled me out by the tail, threw me against a tree, and smashed my head in with a hammer.
On the other, I survived longer than my colleagues, evaded multiple assassination attempts, scored a kill, and accomplished my original information collection mission. So overall, a success.
Now please excuse me. I need to make Luxury pay for using me as a pillow.
Tacitus, Kaitlyn, and Lux talk their way through Night 3, but they all have other things on their minds...
The full list of snuggles must now include Selene being torn between sucking Dafydd's blood and trying to seduce him.
hS, having fuuuuuun
That's just so much yes. *squees*
Dafydd
I ran into Selene last night. It's been... a while since we last saw each other. She's... well, honestly she's looking a little scary right now, I don't think the game-makers thought about vampires when they set this up. Maybe that's why she insisted on going to the Feast...? Bad idea, I heard four cannon shots from that. I have a much better resource-acquisition strategy: steal from people.
Kaitlyn
My friends keep dying. :( I met this old guy who'd holed up in a cave, and he let me camp with him, but he went to the Feast and got killed. I didn't go - too dangerous for me! - and as it turned out, I didn't need to. I found a crate full of food tucked away in a corner of the cave - I wonder why Hieronymus didn't spot it?
Selene
So hungry. All the time I was with Dafydd last night I couldn't stop thinking about his blood. Then at the Cornucopia I took down that grey-beard - but no, I couldn't drink from him, the DIA would go nuts.
So I lost. Don't care. I'm going to get something to eat. Get out of my way, or it might be you.
Morgan
I have a plan. Well... I had a plan. Make slightly-friends with people, so that they hunt each other before they do me. Great. Except the flip-side of that plan is that all my slightly-friends keep killing each other. Library took out Gerry today, and tried to come after me, too. Should I still count her on the list? If not, I'm down to... Lola. That's it.
And to make matters worse, someone's hunting me. I don't know who.
And I have a headache.
Also, seems that everyone's out to scare Aya. After Selene's last remark, she probably hid behind Kuroko while the latter made a mental note to put some universal anti-undead ammo (Standard Generic Monster Load?) in 5.7x28mm caliber on order.
Yes, they're somewhat based off Madoka and Homura from Puella Magi Madoka Magica, why you ask?
Sergio: Night was terrible. Nightmares again. Didn't went to the Cornucopia yet again, that place is dangerous. Rayson seems to have been eliminated as well - he fell into a pit or something.
Someone stole most of my gear when I was off looking for food - I know only have my Beretta and the Holodeck's replica of Nikki's Device, and that's because I never leave them around.
It happened again - I'm the last survivor of my group, with no supplies and several targets to take down. Time to finish this.
Rayson: That pit was scary. But... I guess no one will be after me now? I'm not signing up again.
I abandoned my cave. It is not safe anymore. This one-handed elf, Dafydd Illian, sneaked in. Yeah, I would have preferred an elleth, but snuggling to share heat is always better than being murdered in my sleep. Of course I didn't close an eye last night.
When I moved out, that crazy Fox-Pokémon showed up and suggested working together. Does Tacitus not know who I am, or does he believe that I'm not aware who poisoned Androia?
Wait. I wonder whether I should be aware. Can we hear the commentary while we are in the game? The energy sword comment sounded like Aya and Kuroko life-reporting what they had just watched, while Androia was still around, so overhearing this isn't a precedent. Sometimes, being the writer of one's own story can be quite confusing.
Anyway, I have to be careful. Being tired and hungry isn't the best condition for a fight. Are Pokémon edible?
Update: Tacitus ran away. Can he read minds? Did he see something I didn't notice?
Henry: Oh authors above ... Why did this have to happen!? Everything was doing great, Sergio and I were getting mighty fine ... Then I went to do guard duty during the night and I saw ... something approaching the camp and I instantly went after them and managed to hit them fatally. I don't even know how manage to hit a target that small at the dead of the night! But then ... then I found that I eliminate Sergio's other former partner, right in front of his eyes! Guy has already seen both of his partners being horribly mangled inside this madness ... I don't know how much more he can take after this ... or much more I can take this! Please make this stop! Please! I can't take it anymore!
Tacitus
Who else but PPC agents decide to break into song at night during a simulated murderfest? I found myself a foxhole and went to sleep.
I partnered up with Graubart for the day. He seems like a reasonable partner, if a little old. At least I have a decent chance of running away if he decides to attack me.
As we were moving through the forest we saw Supernumerary's corpse; it was dry as a bone. Fearing some strange trap-- or worse, Wymbourne's magic-- we stayed clear of the area.
Speaking of Wymbourne, I spotted him cutting Dives down to size before suddenly backing off and leaving her to bleed out. It seemed like a trap: one of the strongest agents in here, ready for someone to deliver the coup de grâce while her crazed attacker hides in the shadows, waiting for the two-for-one combo.
I'm not stupid. I ran from that as fast as I could.
Given that Kaitlyn won't shut up about them, this is of course still relevant. Of course.
^_^
hS
I love it! :D D'aw, look at the wittle Doktor, he's so cute, yes he is! I-- Ahem. I like this drawing.
Seriously though that's adorable. ^_^ Thank you, hS!
-Alleb
I couldn't resist.
hS
(PS: For those who can't parse the drawing, Alleb has long sleeves current rolled up just above the elbow. And the Doktor has ^_^ :D)
I'm not squeeing, honest. =]
That little fish's happy face is adorable and I wanna hug it!
... pictures of all the snuggle-related antics from the game should be a thing.
But I can't decide whether I think that just because I want to draw more with these two. :-/
Glancing through the transcript, that would be:
Night 1: Alleb and the Doktor cuddle.
Za'kiir and Zeb hold hands (and no-one comments).
Night 2: Lux uses Tacitus as a pillow.
Night 3: Tacitus uses Kaitlyn to fend off further snuggling from Lux.
Night 4: Lola and Morgan canoodle.
Dafydd and Hieronymus... do something, Dafydd didn't say and HG hasn't commented yet.
Lots of cuddly Pokemon (and one tiger-person). This could work. It could be the snuggliest Hunger Games ever.
hS
PS: But oh my stars yes the Doktor's face it's so cute.
The Hunger Glomps of 2016.
I want this to go down in history.
Together, we can turn this game of death into a game of saccharine adorable-ness and fish-smiles.
Nume
Well, I gave up on Aviator, but I never should have taken up with those two fruitcakes last night. Thirst my ass—that fekface Derik jabbed me with my own needle! All your cells dehydrating instantaneously, causing cardiac arrest, is not a fun experience. Christ, my skin is still crawling.
(( Or, if that's taking too much liberty with the situation... ))
Well, I gave up on Aviator, but I never should have taken up with those two fruitcakes last night. They wouldn't shut up!
In hindsight, I also shouldn't have filled my canteen with Single Tears. Who knew actual water would be so hard to come by?
Derik
♪A-hunting we will go, a-hunting we will go, high-ho the derry-o, a-hunting we will go...♪
(( Bah. Just... bah. Nume was on a roll. {= with it. ))
Derik, no!
(Though I suppose the tune is appropriate enough...)
Poor Nume, though he did last quite a bit.
Though now I'm imagining Nume calmly walking around before insta-drying in place, and then falling over face-first.
That... was oddly fun.
That is kind of a funny mental image. Maybe he wandered into some kind of weird trap that does that? I'm just having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of Nume walking around thinking strategy while ignoring basic needs like food and water.
Should've known I'd get thrown a curveball like this. Curse you, Ironic Overpower!
~Neshomeh
He ran out of Bleepka (because Single Tears in his flask) and rather than suffer from withdrawal, offed himself (maybe with Tears, many with his own needle). Either way, he would be enjoying the sweet, sweet mind-numbing effects before too long.
But that's just how I read it.
-Phobos
Nume
Well, I gave up on Aviator, but I never should have taken up with those two fruitcakes last night. Thirst my ass—that fekface Derik jabbed me with my own needle! All your cells dehydrating instantaneously, causing cardiac arrest, is not a fun experience. Christ, my skin is still crawling.
(( Or, if that's taking too much liberty with the situation... ))
Well, I gave up on Aviator, but I never should have taken up with those two fruitcakes last night. They wouldn't shut up!
In hindsight, I also shouldn't have filled my canteen with Single Tears. Who knew actual water would be so hard to come by?
Derik
♪A-hunting we will go, a-hunting we will go, high-ho the derry-o, a-hunting we will go...♪
(( Bah. Just... bah. Nume was on a roll. {= < Oh well. Derik's still in it, if not exactly with it. ))
Field Commander Lola McCandless: Soooo, last night was pretty interesting. Morgan seems a lot nicer than the Guardsman makes out she would. And Morgan... she seems to make out a lot nicer than the Guardsman would. Hoo boy. That was a lot of fun. Only wish I'd been able to get my hands on the elf, though, he's tricksy hobbitses. Or elfses. Or whatever. Still haven't seen Algie's name on the board, though, so that's a plus too.
I hope I'll see Morgan on the high ground again.
Algernon, 7th Earl Wymbourne: It would appear that companionship has come my way again. Though the gilding of my coat has lost all its starlight and the green fades like autumn, our songs bring a newfound vernal potency to the coming morning! And what a morning! I was taking a brief constitutional, and my, what healthful airs this place has! It reminds me of Eastbourne but with more butcher's knives. But yes, I must continue. I walked about and saw a rabbit, a shortish little rabbit, a slip of a thing that bounded about with a peculiar light. Box cutters have the flimsiest blades and it broke off in her shooting hand, but there are several and that vorpal blade went snicker-snack! And the way that the rabbit's blood ran deep crimson across my shoes amused me such that I laughed and laughed and laughed, and when I stopped, my new friend had gone to Fairyland, I suppose. I hope we can see each other again.
...the Guardsman rolled his eyes at the television as Lola gave her interview. He picked up his glass of cola and took a sip.
"Hilarious, Field Commander. Make outs. Hah! As if I'd even consider doing that-- just think of the germs being spread! Gross, man. really gross..." he grumbled as he looked over to Naya, who was staring at him. "What?" he asked.
"...Emiran, d'you still believe in cooties?" she said slowly.
"No. How old do you think I am?"
Naya sighed and leaned back. "At this point, I don't even know."
Maybe that explains Morgan's slight mood improvement.
Or maybe she found some of that drink she's always going on about.
Also, er, Algie is... er. (Given the general lightness of tone in this game, can I suggest you don't go much further down the horror line with him? It's a little creepy.)
hS
Dafydd
I figured having company last night was probably a good idea after someone went through my stuff yesterday. I'm... honestly not even sure who that person was. And then a Secondborn tried to stalk me across the Arena. Yeah... good luck with that.
It's all gone a bit quiet. Am I the only one expecting carnivorous squirrels any moment?
Kaitlyn
I miss Alleb. :( And the Doktor. :( I think the cold is getting to me, too; I didn't sleep very well for bad dreams. Wish I hadn't lost my firelighter. Then in the morning someone was chasing me, and I had to run. I wish I could find Selene.
Still no mushrooms.
Selene
I found Kaitlyn! ... but she ran away.
Last night I camped with an Italian and someone from Building Maintenance; I joined in their songs to try and stop myself thinking about their pulses. Then morning came, and I saw Kaitlyn across the Arena! I ran after her, but I don't think she knew it was me.
Or... maybe she did, and she still run. I know I've been getting more and more messed up as this has gone on. I really hope the Key isn't breaking down...
Morgan
Things are improving. I think my mood yesterday might've been leftover fumes from the Single Tears. I spent last night with a DIA agent - not my preferred company, but at least she's competent. Then struck out for the high ground.
I've been catching the edge of some pretty severe psychic ripples cutting across the Arena - thinking about who's still here, I think it must be the Aviator. I don't know if she's injured or just angry, but something's going on with her. I should watch out for that - a veteran of the Time War isn't someone I want to see flamethrower-crazy.
Corolla: Uh, I thought it was a good idea to try to join the camp Sergio was at. However, the one on guard thought I was trying to attack them, and... that didn't end so well. Well, game over. Still, I had a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to the next edition!
Sergio: Henry and I set up camp with Selene and Gerry, and everything was going smoothly (we were even singing to pass the time!) until Henry noticed some movement in the bushes and went to check. There was an intruder, and he took her down swiftly.
Normally I would commend him on that, but... well, the intruder was Corolla. Well, she's not truly dead beng this just a game, he didn't know who she was, his course of action was proper considering the circumstance so I don't hold it against him.
Still, I picked up some chamomile flowers during the day. I hope a chamomile will help my nerves.
Rayson: Everyone's trying to kill me! Everyone! AAAAH!
The Aviator: He got the drop on me and I'm still injured, alright? Stop looking at me like that, there were plenty of alternate timelines where I didn't survive the war! [CENSORED] off and leave me alone!
Aviator is being interviewed probably only by Kuroko by now, as Aya would be too scared to get near her?
This makes good encouragement to get permission, I must say.
All of the new lads missing out on doing this should get together. We should form a union. And perform hijinks.
James
So much for buckling down.
* * * * *
((Well then. That was disappointing.))
Here's to the Great RNG in the Sky, and may it receive my middle finger with all the devotion and sincerity with which it is intended. Cheers.
Never really had the occasion of visiting Rudi's befeore.
As for the RNG, I'm pretty sure they kidnapped Fire Emblem's one for the competition, so if you don't like it, prove it and sue them... Why are all these guns pointed at me?
Look for the booths filled with glum and vaguely annoyed agents in the corner with all the Bleepka glasses in front of them.
Laura's going to be a little late. She said she had to make some sort of sacrifice to the RNG. Looked looked like whatever she was plannin' involved a bunch of twenty-sided dice and a big mallet.
Field Commander Lola McCandless: Things are getting harder now, but at least I'm not having to do it on an empty stomach. I got lucky; a supply chest had a bunch of untouched MREs and a little camping stove thing that hadn't even been touched, along with a ton of balloons for some damn reason. It worked fine, and I decamped to higher ground once I was well-rested in my previous hiding place. At least it didn't flood this time. We'll see how the remaining contestants get on, but I'm doing okay for myself so far. Luck beats skill, but skill means you make your own luck. That got drilled into me in the Mountain and I'm glad of it. I wonder how His Lordship's doing.
Algernon, 7th Earl Wymbourne: Another sleepness night in this electric prison bore only the bitter fruit of failure, but I will succeed. I must. This damnable Holodeck's spirit will accede to my requests; I need only to find the proper phrasing. My meat remains, though it dwindles, and while I was hunting I espied another contestant. And I chased him. I howled my challenge like a shaman of the far Americas, loosing a cobbled-together tomahawk at his head as I ran after him, blood pumping in my ears, anger at him surging through my veins. This was my hunt! This was my prize! How dare I be denied by any man? I, who am by right of blood the lord of an English estate, wherever that England may now be? I would have chased him to his end if I could... but I could not. And as soon as I sat down, realizing I had wasted another day, that selfsame anger left me. Forgive me, O lord. I know not what I do.
"'We are not the flame!' They will cry. 'We are but moths! And we are doomed!' And their screams will echo amidst the pitiless cyclopaean stones of the darkest dungeon."
Algie's arc in this, for want of a better word, has been trying to find a rational solution and a use for his magic. However, he is trying to appease RNGsus and he has failed utterly, because there is no doing so without the most blasphemous of rituals and most fell of sorceries. In this, he has suffered from overconfidence, and that is the most insidious killer of them all.
Henry: I'm not even sure how I managed to get hurt. I don't think I was attacked or anything, but then again, I got pretty lost last night. I think this place is continuing to takes its toll on me...
It was lucky that I ended up meeting Sergio. My healing magic doesn't properly in this place, so it was fortunate that he was around to show me some Muggle first-aid techniques. Probably should try to learn more of those for whenever someone gets hurt on a mission where I can't use magic either.
I think I have actually heard of this guy before. He and his partners seem to have been pretty legendary when they worked in Floaters.
Apparently his girlfriend was one of the agents that got caught up in the explosion back at the Cornucopia in Day One of this madnesd. Ouch!
Anyway, seems pretty safe to hang around him for now. Things seems to be turning out pretty OK for me so, all considering, so lets hope that keeps up.
Since it seems that I remembered Nikki's death wrong, please substitute the fourth line with this:
Apparently his girlfriend got horribly killed at the start of this madness and he saw her body afterwards. Ouch!
Night was better than the last. A third agent-- Kaitlyn-- acted as a buffer between Luxury and me. And here I was, thinking I was rid of her. Well, she might be of some use to me in the coming days. We discussed tactics throughout the night. Of course, there were some difficulties involved since I'm mute. The amount of paper I have left in my logbook is limited and I have no desire to waste it with idle chatter.
Morning. Detonation in distance. Cautiously investigated. Saw Dives crawling away from the explosion on the far side of the clearing-- if I was closer, I would've finished her off. Zeb, a catman, and Luxury have been vaporized in an apparent trap. What luck! Three down in one fell swoop.
Chased by Corolla later in the afternoon. Gave her the slip, no sweat. Seriously-- how many times do these Action agents have to try before realizing that you simply can't chase down a Spy?
Nume
I caught up with Aviator after that explosion. Even after pulling shrapnel out of her back, though, I don't know if an alliance is the way to go this time. I'm going to have to start getting aggressive to stand a chance at winning, and I don't like my chances against some of these people on my own, but an unstable ally is no better than an enemy. If she can stop swearing at me for five minutes, maybe we can still work together. If not, I'm out of here.
Derik
This morning I made my way back to the Cornucopia to see if I could find some extra supplies. I found a bomb. It's not my usual approach, but it was certainly effective. *grin* That should teach my opponents to stand too close together from now on.
(( Eeeeeek. O.o; Zeb, I am so, so sorry. In Derik's defense, he had no way of knowing. Also he is plainly a madman, but that's not really a defense... ))
I'm kinda surprised at how many baseline humans are still in the running- and the fact that many of them are the ones who tend to keep their heads on their shoulders, usually, which makes sense.
In fact, Corolla seeking out Zeb for a partnership would be very in-character for her (not to mention they do know each other, and even did one mission together), as is Sergio's tactic of focusing on resources and avoiding conflicts when possible (since he's an ordinary human with an ammunition-based weapon, he would only attack when 100% sure of a victory. Also, other players less skilled in survival would become weaker as the days go on)
Even Rayson, who is little more than a planned character (a mention in a still unreleased interlude and a few KSP gameplay videos are all that's set in stone for him) is acting quite like I would expect him to.
Don't jinx it, you guys! You know the Ironic Overpower is watching!
^_~
Of course, the truth is this is really an exercise in justifying whatever the RNG spits out. Some events would make it more difficult, of course, but all in all it's down to our own creativity and strength at characterization, yes?
~Neshomeh
Now, off to see what the RNG spits out for Day 5...
...you can bet he's going to turn tail and run as fast as possible in the other direction. X'D
And just you wait, the Nume/Ave teamup is going to come to an abrupt end tomorrow when one of them kills the other.
It's kinda freaking me out, how much the RNG is playing to my narrative right now. It can't possibly last.
Derik is going to feel really bad about this once it's over and the crazyadrenaline wears off. What does one put into an apology gift basket to a Pokémon?
~Neshomeh
Really, some happenings are just too right.
...character-wise, that is. :P I still feel bad for laughing at poor Zeb getting blown up again. It's not supposed to become a running gag, I swear!
And, hm. Pecha berries and Poffins? ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Ave seems really determined to hang in there, though.
Zeb: *shaking like a leaf* Explosions. Why did it have to be explosions. Why...?
Aviator: [CENSORED] Nume and [CENSORED] injuries I can't reach and [CENSORED, CENSORED, CENSORED] shrapnel and [CENSORED—]
Dafydd
Stealth: apparently a pretty common tactic. Last night I kept an eye out for fires, but only saw one. I kept my distance; I actually ran into Agent Derik doing the exact same thing, but I don't think he saw me. Everyone's a spy today.
As was whoever rifled my belongings while I was out on patrol. They moved as quietly as an elf, which makes them... no-one in the Arena? Maybe the producers decided to get funny. I'm just glad I didn't have much worth taking.
Kaitlyn
I made new friends... sort of. I ran into Agent Luxury, who was following some kind of fuzzy dog around - I think it was a Pokemon, but I'm not sure. Its name was Tacitus, though, and it was very eager for help in keeping Lux talking - and not, y'know, doing anything else - allll night long.
Yeah, they weren't really company to keep around, is what I'm saying. So I headed out by myself in the morning, and tested my skills by sneaking into that elf's camp. Apparently I am as quiet as a hobbit - good going, me!
I miss Alleb and the Doktor. :(
Selene
Cold; apparently lightning isn't good for lighting firewood still drenched in Single Tears. Don't work well by myself. Ran into the Time Lady who killed Wobbles around noon; I know how dangerous she is, so I settled for rifling her things.
Maybe I'll find Kaitlyn tonight. That would be nice.
Morgan
Whoever stole my stuff is going to pay.
I didn't get a lot of sleep last night - Gerry from Building Maintenance (met her during the Blackout, I think - good-bad times) needed help, so I added her to my list of 'slightly allies'. That turned out not to be a good idea - she ran off after a spaceman in the morning, and while I tried to get a bit of rest, someone made off with my food supplies.
So now I'm tired and hungry.
I need a drink.
Somebody tried to chase me while I was out looking for food. But he moved like a zombie, probably sleep deprived, so I could escape easily. Had a good night’s sleep myself, back in my cave. And there is actually some water trickling from the rocks deep in. Should really have explored this place earlier. It’s not enough to still my thirst, but it helps me keep going. Alas, I’m quite hungry by now.
Library: I had no luck at night trying to make a fire. I decided to take a more proactive approach today regarding finding other competitors, but that didn't succeed either. Overall, not very fruitful at all.
Gerry: Had another run-in with Morgan and she helped patch me up, but I split up from her after I started chasing another agent. I'm still in to win.
Neither the short descrition for Night 3, Day 4 and the death count for this day. Is it normal?
I'm intrigued to see what caused the mass pilfering between members of District hS.
hS
I only put the transcript of the KIA list if it is big, though - as you can see, I usually have Aya or Kuroko list the casualties at the end of the day.
Corolla: It was nice meeting Sergio again, he seems to be holding up rather nicely considering he said to have seen Nikki's body during the first day. Ouch. Rayson seems to be doing fine, too. Then during the day, Zeb got blown up - ouch again! I managed to barely escape the explosion, and later I chased a Zorua, but he got away. Not quite my day today.
Sergio: Corolla seems to be having fun, which is good. During the day I met a guy called Henry, a Potterverse wizard. He's an healer, but the Holodeck seems to have nerfed his healing. I gave him some non-magical first-aid tips I learned in the field - nothing flashy, I'm not a medic, but those are rare on the battlefield.
His partner got taken out too - and, in fact, she's an anime girl like Nikki. In a way, they remind me of us. Only that we didn't get a Bleepfic as a first asignment. Thinking about sticking with him for now, and having a talk with the stupid daisy before going home.
Rayson: Why is that girl chasing me? I haven't done anything to her! I don't want to die!
... is there any way to export setups?
I'm vaguely thinking about making a complete custom Arena - recast all the events to take place in an urban environment or whatever. But if the only way anyone can use it is by relying on the website to keep it for 'maybe six months if we feel like it', there's not a lot of point.
(Or by re-entering it from scratch, but yikes).
hS
It's pretty tragic, then, that this is probably the only time that this sort of thing has ever happened on the internet.
Jesse: *while wringing out shirt* I shoulda never signed up for this fool game.
-Alleb
((Well, there go all of my agents. Darn.))
As usual, the link's in the main post.
Henry: Today went rather well for me. I'm still in the running and no one has attacked me so far. I meet this wise looking old guy and he seemed pretty nice. Although he did tell me that I shouldn't have signed up for this and he asked something a 'mystical river'. That last part was pretty weurd.
Tacitus
I like my fur. It's a beautiful shade of dark grey and is as soft as a delicate silk cloth.
That is why when one of the PPC's most well-known taxidermists comes up to you and asks to use you as a pillow, you don't question it. You lie down and pretend that you're a pillow. And, when the sun comes back up and she has her back turned, you grab some of her supplies, try to claw out her Achilles tendon (a pity I missed), and run for your life.
Later on I was recruited by Agent Morgan and assisted her on a hunt. We stumbled on Wobbles attacking Library-- I let Morgan do the wetwork. No point in risking my 'life' for nothing.
My chances of winning? Slim, at best. There are too many high-powered agents left on the field. Firstly, the two Time Ladies: Morgan and Dives. Time Lords are inherently physically superior to all present-- I need to convince the other players to gang up on them. McCandless and Pittman are also major threats: their experiences as X-COM operatives makes them nearly as dangerous as the Gallifreyans. Wymbourne is a magic user. I have little to no information on how he weaponizes it-- if at all-- so I need to stay vigilant. And Zeb... suffice to say that if he can maul a Pokémon DIA agent in a one-on-one battle, he can easily win against a normal human.
Hopefully they'll start cutting each other down before they'll turn on me. I don't stand a chance in a head-on confrontation. I need poisons, I need explosives, I need ambushes... and everyone is keeping a close eye on the other. It's impossible to slip away undetected... or is it?
James
I wasn't sure what to make of that temporary nighttime alliance at first. Didn't really seem to fit the intent of this here game. But I eventually decided to just run with it. I had no idea where Laura was at the time, so having someone watch my back while I slept — even relative strangers — seemed like a decent idea.
Sure went to hell the next morning, though. That burnin' woman tried to follow me, talkin' about teaming up. No way. I had seen the damage she'd done at the Cornucopia. That wasn't exactly conducive to my overall strategy. She insisted. I decided to make my rebuttal sharp and to the point.
Laura's gone now. So's that Bad Slash team that we were grouped with. I'm all on my own. It's time to buckle down and focus.
Gremlin
You know what? Blowing up was probably for the best. I will totally admit to going a little loopy from stress there. I found some sais — might have been from one of the agents that drowned in the tear flood — then I found that DMS agent, and… well, I got stabby. That didn't improve things
I was just so out of it that I didn't even notice what was up with the supply crate. I could feel some sort of electrical system attached to the inside of it, but I just brushed it off. KABOOM! I'm out of the game.
Ugh. I'm going to Rudi's. Then I'm going to go sleep in my own bed.
Laura
[Agent Duke's comments about her elimination from play were deemed too explicit to publicize.]
Nume
Ran into Dafydd again last night. I don't think much of his choice of companions, but once they'd found me, it was either go along or lose sleep running or fighting. I went along. Lucky for me, that cowboy saved me the trouble of figuring out how to take out the girl who blew up my partner.
After that, the rest of us split up, which is just as well. I caught sight of Rina—the Aviator, whatever—and I'm thinking about resurrecting last year's alliance. She doesn't look too stable at the moment, though, so I'm keeping my distance for now. Wouldn't want to stick my neck out only to have her take my head off.
Derik
I could wish everyone weren't so obsessed with my face. I was a dragonman and a harper, not some madman in a mask. Maybe, if I can get my hands on a piece of wire, I can make them regret the comparison...
As long as they don't come up on my blind side first. I suppose I'm grateful that my appearance made that girl spare my life. She got that damn song stuck in my head, though. For that alone, I won't spare her if we meet again.
(( Uh-oh, y'all roused Derik's evil side with all that talk about the Phantom... ))
Natalie: I recognized the guy who killed me. His name is Gremlin. Gremlin! The one character from "Sherlock" who spooked the charges out of me. Ironic Overpower, you must be laughing your head off...
Za'kiir: This one has learned a new lesson: Never underestimate a Time Lord. In all seriousness, they are quite strong, wise, and, well, "cheeky." But she is a true and skilled fighter. If she believed in the Nords' Sovngarde, she would most certainly join the Hall of the Ancestors and take her rightful place among the warriors of legend. But Mara cast her light, and the Aviator spared me. Thank Alkosh! But now I follow Sangiin once more.
Uh… I know my haircut and tattoos make me look pretty butch (and, admittedly, you were distracted by me attacking and killing you when we first met) but I'm totally female. With tits and everything.
Just, um… just wanted to clear that up.
Gremlin
Wobbles The Clown: Oh, darn. I thought ya hadda have a kill-count in this thing and look where it got me! I went for that nice Library person who was like super nice but I couldn't remember where she worked for so we tussled for a while but then, well, then one of the Time Grump's friends came over and I tried to explain but she ended up garrotting me with my own tightrope wire. Oh well. I hope she got the supplies I'd stored, and, um... Morgan? If you're listening? I made some balloon flowers for Kaitlyn after what we talked about, so, uh, if you could... if you could make sure she gets them I'd really appreciate it.
Field Commander Lola McCandless: Today's been quiet. Scouting operations went well, and with a lot of people being killed during the night it might pay well to monitor any alliances. So I spent time last night telling war stories from my time on the COM with Derik, who used to be -- get this -- the Phantom of the friggin' Opera, and Sergio, who I believe still is Italian. Reminds me of an Assault from back in the Mountain, actually. Might look him up later. Anyway, come the morning, I noticed Henry and HG over by what remained of the lake. I've still got the bombs, but there wasn't really an opportune moment and my throwing arm's still not brilliant from where that Stone Knight of Angarling broke it last month so I left them to it.
Algernon, 7th Earl Wymbourne: My attempts to cajole the Holodeck into compliance with my wishes have so far met with total disdain. However, there is a sense of camaraderie that I am finding most conducive to a calm environment, even when we are flooded out with Suvian poisons; for instance, just last night I was sharing stories with a genuine astronaut, one mister Rayson Kerman of the Kerbal Space Program universe. The advances of science and technology are things that interest me immensely, and I only hope my own tales of life at Perenelle as a moderately-skilled practical magician were to his liking.
---
Footnotes: and so we continue the streak of mine and hS's agents wanting to kill each other. =]
I figured it was the producers mucking about with clown-shaped monsters! OH right, I remember now, Grey's partner? Um. Oops?
((Yeeeeeeeah, she missed that entirely. ^_~ I have fun playing about with people's lack-of-knowledge in this.))
((PS: Wobbles, come baaaack, Selene misses you.))
((hS))
Hi! Sorry we didn't meet under less killy circumstances! You're more than welcome to come over and say hi whenever you want, and I'll make sure my partner's out when you do because Lolus doesn't like fighting! =]
Walking around at night isn’t a good idea. I tripped over a guy who was sleeping under a shield, with a makeshift spear at his side. Fortunately, I managed to grab him before he could spear me, and I fought with teeth, claws and knees, until I realized that “he” is actually a “she”. So I let her get away. Can’t hit a woman, can I?
Near noon, this young Harry Potter healer-wizard approached me, very cautious and nervous, seeking the wise elderman’s advice. I’m afraid that he will lose it soon, but all I could say was that he shouldn’t have entered the game in the first place. He doesn’t know where this mythical river is, either.
Zeb: Not too much to say about today, really. Um, I'm still in the running, at least, so that's good, right?
Aviator: What? Just because I was in a war doesn't mean I'm going to be killing everyone I see. [CENSORED] you and [CENSORED] that idea. I was a glorified mailman, not a [VERY CENSORED] Dalek!
Library: I nearly met my end during the night, though fortunately Agent Wobbles was stopped by Agent Morgan. I did, however, meet up with Zeb for a short period of time before we split up...
Gerry: Close shave with this one guy, though he didn't try to go through with it. Wish I could say the same for Lux's ideas... Ew.
JF: Nooooo ugh! I was having fun! With a lot of fire! Dumb knives.
I wonder whether she found the time to grab her gear. Are these shield and spear now mine?
OT: I just noticed two errors in the timeline on your Dreamwidth site. "A Promise to be kept" links to "Will you still be human" (1547 should be 1387), and "Swim" links to "Gone" (3845 should be 3368).
HG
I guess we could decide depending on how the next day's events go? I'm good with you nabbing them, though.
As for the OT, thanks! I'll fix that when I have a land-based internet connection.
Dafydd
Last night I met a girl who was fire. She's dead now, which wasn't my fault. Well... mostly not.
After the flood, I decided stealth wasn't really much of an option any more. I put together a team of the useful skilled survivors I could track down - Supernumerary (well, I know he's dangerous), a fairy-sized woman, an intimidating man with a gun, and the aforementioned girl who was fire.
We slept in shifts - two up, three down, to stop one of us going rogue. I... may have manipulated the schedules to let me stare at talk to the fire. I mean girl. Whatever.
But... well, things didn't go well for her this morning. Turns out the intimidating man? He wasn't really into the whole 'team' thing. He threw a knife into her chest, and bang, down she went. Given that Supernumerary had run off after that Time Lady, the fairy technician and I split up.
I did manage to fend off a cat-person of some description by myself, which was a plus (teeth and claws - yikes), but I think I might go back to stealth mode again...
Kaitlyn
Camp last night was lonely. Turns out, Alleb and the Doktor? The flood got both of them. Rubbish, right? So I was all by myself. Good thing I kept hold of my firelighter... oh! Then today I ran into a guy who looked just like the Phantom of the Opera. I had to fight him - that's what the game's about, right? - but I couldn't bring myself to kill him.
Still no more mushrooms. Consoling myself by humming The Music of the Night.
Selene
Not a good day. Tried to set up camp with Wobbles, but she insisted on going hunting. She attacked a harmless-looking agent (as in, 'easy target'), but then this Time Lady came out of nowhere and killed her.
I cried.
Then as if the Arena wanted to rub it in, Jesse - my other teammate... look, I don't want to talk about it. I had to kill him; that's all.
Alone now.
Morgan
Today was a good day. Last night I ran into a weird quirk of the Arena - killer clowns. I thought the game-makers were only going to use natural monsters? Ah, well. Rescued Agent Library from it, so that was me safe for the night.
Then after daybreak I teamed up with Tacitus - a Spy. We hunted together, but everyone's gotten fairly canny about staying out of sight. Still, it means one more person who vaguely trusts me.
Still not sure whether I should seek out the Aviator. She's a Council member now - but would I trust any of the rest of them to be allies in here? Mm, no, don't think so. Still, it's worth considering.
Is this place really secure?
((It's very much like Blood Rites' first sentence.))
Nothing actually happening.
If not, sorry for overreacting.
... I was deliberately half-quoting it, I think we can let you off. ^_~
hS
Corolla: Ive manages to find a nice group to spend the night with, and in the morning I made myself a slingshot. Sure, my Moonlight Dagger spell has a higher rate of fire, but the damage is... meh.
Well, a slingshot isn't that better, but I am nowhere near big enough to wield a bow.
Sergio: Derik and Lola looked like alright guys, but the latter's wanting to avenge Androia. Sorry girl, I'm having none of it. If you try to blow up the guy who avenged Nikki, you're getting a bullet through the head, understood?
While I was fishing I ran into that Selene girl trying to drown a cowboy. Which one to attack, the lightning-shooting vampire or the dude armed with a revolver? I had no doubts. Electricity hurts, and the other dude had a revolver. Barbarian.
Rayson: That 7th Earl didn't want to kill me. It's good. I found a nice vantage point, which means it will be harder to people to get to me and kill me.
Michael Green: Mia really wanted for us to sign up, so I thought, "Why not?"
Mia: I'm only here to kill Greenie but still have him around to man the console. Kid's a wimp.
Jesse McKines: Well, I read about these here "Hungry Games" on the "interweb" and I thought it was a big 'ole home-style dinner. It isn't. *sighs and spins revolver*
Alleb: I am rather excited! Cer Fel and I will simply chew up the competition! *laughs, then trails off awkwardly* It-- it's funny, you see, because her name means Blue Bite. Um. Yeah...
-Alleb
Michael: Well, that wasn't too bad. I feel a bit sorry for Mia, though. Algeron and I are working together for now, and he seems nice.
Mia: *growls and stomps past the interviewer*
Jesse: What kinda twisted mind thought up this sport!? I met a woman in the woods and I thought about killing her. Killing her!
Alleb: I met a very nice lady named Kaitlyn, and she and I decided to make flower crowns for a while. She also mentioned something about "botany," but I'm not sure what she meant. Maybe it's a type of poison? *looks up at flower crown and hurriedly knocks it off*
-Alleb
Michael: Algeron stayed up all last night and kept mumbling to himself; I didn't get a bit of sleep. We split up, and I went to practice with this bow I found, when whoosh! everything's flooded. This big wave came down a hill behind me, and I started to run away, but... I fell off a cliff. Mia'll never let me hear the end of this.
Jesse: I miss Kansas. I was yoked together with a [censored] plant. A [censored] plant! Leastways the other two was decent. I went off to hunt; wasn't sure how, with a revolver, but I was itchin' for some meat, when a big 'ole rain came a-thunderin' down. I scrambled up a pine and stayed their like a treed coon till I could see the ground again. Don't know where them other three are; don't particularly care, neither. I'm after some possum.
Alleb: The Doktor seemed nice, although he was... rather hard to understand. I think he liked me...? Anyway, I went to search for some firewood, when the sky dumped practically a full year's worth of water on me! Tears, apparently. How poetic. I opened up an umbrella I'd found, and then I was struck by lightning! What are the chances of that? I am rather sad that I did not survive longer, but at the same time it is good to be out of that game. It isn't a very pleasant sport.
-Alleb
Usual link, folks.
Henry: By all the authors, that Arena Event was really brutal! I mean, a flood made entirely of Single Tears, really!? That's too brutal and underhanded even for this sort of thing. And it seems that Aiko and the other agents that were part of my District got taken out during that horfible mes, too. When I said that I didn't want to fight them, I didn't quite mean something like that, but I guess that's what I get for tempting the Ironic Overpower like that.
Aiko: What was I thinking!? No really, what was I thinking!? Even from the little I learned about these Games beforehand, I should have know that they wouldn't throw drinkable water in there. I should have been suspicious when that woman offered me that canteen, but she seemed so nice and as it turns out, really persuasive. Oh well. Looks like Henry is alone in there. Let's how he fares next.
Hieronymus
This Viking girl isn’t too bad, actually. Totally unreasonable, though. Came out she never intended to smash my skull with this mace. She was looking for someone to cover her back, and apparently I’m looking the least backstabbingly dangerous here. So we talked all night, she doing most of the talking. It’s sad that she wanted to go fish then. Without any fishing gear. And not even knowing where’s a river or lake. Quite irrational, really. Had she gone with me, up the hill, where I found my cave ... Nah, it’s probably better so. She would have continued talking my ear off, and I wouldn’t have found any sleep. So I was really lucky there. When I woke up, everything was wet outside. The flood must have gone right up to the threshold. Had I seen it, I would probably have tried to taste the liquid. Now I’m really thirsty. I must find some water soon.
Androia
This had begun so well. I even found a companion, one Field Commander Lola McCandless of the Special Response Division. She reminds me of my partner, so very rational and focused. And then it all went down.
Lesson number two learned: Time Lords lie. I had to scare her off our camp. Alas, I may have been a bit too convincing there. Apparently Lola ran away, too.
Lesson number three learned: Those ‘Sue-things must be even more dangerous than I thought; even their tears are poison.
Am I allowed to curse here? No? Okay then. Lesson number four learned: Do not trust the spies? Do not trust foxes? I will withhold my judgement until I get more experience.
Tacitus
Alas, my collaboration with the good Captain, De Grasse, and this Jesse girl has come to an abrupt end. I lost the first one to a booby-trapped umbrella, the second one was too dumb to live, and I can't find Jesse anymore. Oh well.
Poisoned an agent with the Singe Tear water. You wouldn't believe the face she made when she finally realized what she had just chugged down. Sure, the Tears are diluted with some anti-Glitter medication or something, but it looked like it burnt on the way down.
Before his elimination, Captain Dandy sent me to chase after the Tiger Lily. Grass/Psychic against Dark types? That's a matchup that I can easily win. I decided to scare her away using an Illusion of an Emboar. You should've seen the face she made when she turned on her roots and ran for it. I left her to be-- I believe Agent Gremlin finished her off.
So-- onwards and upwards. Let's see if I can make it through another night.
Yakov
Aw, shucks. That's the last time I'll accept a drink from Luxury. Y'know, I thought the canteen smelled a little off. That's what I git from drinkin' anythin' right after the showrunners decided to flood the Holodeck with a poision!
Burnt like Firewhiskey on the way down. Bleh. I'll go and rinse out my mouth at Rudi's with Gaspard and Harris-- but after the former has had a swing at Harris. Don't wanna get in between that.
Harris
Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with! I really didn't stand a chance when the flood came in. I tried holding on to a nearby tree but that didn't do me much good, eh? I gotta say-- they really went for the realism angle in this thing. That sharp rock I slammed against was really, really hard. Ow.
...so I hear Gaspard got eliminated as well? Oh, I'll have to find him then. I need to know if he liked playing in the Gam--"
[Offscreen, to the left] "HARRIS!"
Oh, there he is. Hey, Gaspard. How--
[Offscreen, closer] ""You have three seconds to run before I come over there and punch you."
Oh, come on, man. It was a harmless prank. Wait, no, stop right there, don't come into the shot!
[Camera cuts as Gaspard steps into the frame, swinging]
Gaspard
Got him.
No, Tacitus. Jesse is a guy, not a girl. Sorry about that-- my brain went "derp".
The Doktor was slowly but surely recovering from his time in the Holodeck. While it had been unpleasant, it hadn't exactly been as terrible as he'd expected; his weakness to Electric-type moves and atrocious Special Defence had meant that the initial Thunderbolt had knocked him out in short order. He gave one last interview to the pink-haired human and the not-pink-haired human, left a message on the nearest Notice Board that anyone he'd met in the simulation was welcome in RC 347, and journeyed home.
He was not, however, expecting the comprehensive glomp that formed his arrival.
"Mother of Mew, Doc, are you okay? I saw you get hit by that Thunderbolt from the umbrella and I was so worried and I knew it was a simulation but-"
"Ach, meine kleine Gabrielle, I am beink most hale und hearty! Zer end vas qwick und zer pain momentary at best. It ist like usink zer move Explosion, only vizzout zer explosion."
"I know, I know, it's just I really don't like seeing you hurt and I wanted to make sure you were okay and I couldn't tell and things hurt in the Holodeck here and, and, and, oh Arceus I'm so glad you're okay!" Gabrielle squished him even tighter, which caused him to deflate a bit. "I, I thought, I know it's silly but I thought... I was so scared of losing you."
The Doktor stroked the fur of her ruff with a fin. "You needn't vorry, mein Freundin. Friends forever, remember? Ein leetle teensy-veensy think like zer barriers between life und death are posink no problems vhatsoever to zer power of friendship!"
"I was just spooked, I guess." Gabrielle let go and hung her head. "I just... you've been so nice to me, getting me things, making sure everything is okay for me, even when you're in a holo-arena full of people who wanna kill you you're looking out for me, and I just... I wanna be worth it. And, and I'm sorry, I haven't had time to do any banners or Poffins or Pokéblocks or Butterbeer or, or anything like that, and I wanna be worth the effort you put into me but I just screw up -- ow!"
The Doktor flopped over and pulled the qwill out of her side with his teeth. "Vhat have ve said about puttink yourself down? Vas it qwickbanned from zer tier? Ach ja, it vas! So no more of zat. You are my friend, Gabrielle, und I am honoured und privileged to be sayink so. Now, let us be settlink down und bootink up zer DVD of A Very Potter Seqwel und beink zer firmest of friends. Okay?"
"Okay," she replied, with a sigh of contentment or relief; the Doktor didn't mind which as long as it helped.
"Echt klasse."
---
P.S.:
"Soooo," Gabrielle whispered halfway through the film, "should I expect a call from a certain Agent Alleb, huh?"
"Meine kleine Gabrielle, I am hopink! Ach ja, I am hopink!" The grin on the Doktor's face was enormous. "Zo I am not beink sure how zer hand-holdink affects zer IVs of any particular offsprink, or indeed zer species. Ve can but ponder."
"Uh... we could also not ponder? That's an option too, right?"
"Ja."
"Echt klass - oh, Arceus, now ya got me doing it!"
Nume
God damn, what a day. The Game Makers have gotten a lot more sadistic since last time. *shudder* Still, I made the most of it. Everyone knows my flask is full of Bleepka, so naturally the kid drank from it. Sorry, kid, but them's the breaks.
Hm? Oh, yeah, met the girl my partner's been mooning over last night. Typical Andalite, really. Not surprised she didn't last long.
Derik
As I said, knowing the Arena proved to be a major asset. I knew exactly where to go when the flooding started.
I was hoping to sleep next to a fire last night, but I picked the wrong person to approach. Lesson learned.
I did briefly run into Gremlin, but she hadn't seen Gall, either. It's a shame she went out before I had a chance to find her, but I hope she's learned something.
Gall
Motherf*****! That was a cheap, dirty trick! Gremlin, you better win this now, and if you see my partner, kick his ass for me!
(( Nume was apparently less impressed than Farilan, but then, he resents her for making his partner go all loony.
(( We all know there will be no lessons learned. And yeah, I probably did jinx it by bringing it up. Alas. ))
For some reason, I just loved the image of Rayson perched on his ladder amid the flood. Thus:
And, from Day 1: Corolla and Zeb.
hS
Rayson and his latter, in actual in-game footage.
A deep sea of depair can break anyone's mind,
But the Kerbail will calmly look around on his ladder.
(Please ignore the additiona stuff I had to add to, y'now, keep the ladder up)
The Telus LV is the bigger one, but I actually intended the other one.
It looks more like a plausible weapon, after all.
I mean, it wouldn't have helped if I had, but...
Probably won't redraw, I'm afraid - by Monday there's bound to be other images to do. : )
hS
Just this image existing is good. I had first checked the Board from the phone during dinner at work - my colleagues were rather puzzled by the fact I was laughing all by myself.
Laura
Seventeen deaths in one day? F***ing hell! At that rate, there's not going to be anyone left to fight! I don't think whoever designed that special event with the Single Tears did any proper testing. They gotta nerf that for next year. I also had to abandon that cave I found to avoid drowning. On the plus side, though, I found some food before the Sue-ish flood waters rolled in. Down one shelter, up some sustenance.
James
It was good a thing I've been scouting out the arena. I knew the perfect place to take shelter once that Single Tear flood began. You know, discountin' all the agents trying to hunt me down, the lethal weather, and the fact that the scenery is made in a computer, it's actually pretty nice out here. Reminds me of when I when I was in the Boy Scouts. Once this is over, I think I'll try to organize a non-mission camping trip somewhere.
Gremlin
Once again, my life is a ta ma de roller coaster. Sure, I didn't manage to swipe any supplies from that Time Lady whose nose I broke, but Wobbles was nice enough to share some stuff with me. We ended up scouting around together for most of the day. Well, I was scouting; she was doing stunts and impressions. I thought the constant high-energy thing was a performance she put on as part of her Nursery program. Nope. She's like that in real life too.
We got separated by the flood, which is when I found the Tiger Lily. She had been poisoned by the Single Tears, that was clear enough. Her petals were turning brown and she kept muttering to herself, talking to people and Flowers who weren't there.
Just leaving her there to suffer felt wrong. So… I did the only thing I could.
And, as a nice little shit cherry on top of my sundae, I just found out that Gall didn't make it. F***. We had made a deal before this whole thing started. If our partners died before we did, the two of us would team up to clear the board before squaring off in one final showdown. Loser would have paid for the first three rounds at Rudi's. It was gonna be awesome!
Yeah… awesome.
I am rapidly running out of friends.
Maybe I'll go harass that Time Lady again. Seeing her panic and flail about again might cheer me up.
* * * * *
((I feel like Nesh and I jinxed the Gall/Gremlin team-up by talking about it. Ah, what could have been… Also, I might write the Gremlin/Tiger Lily encounter out in a little short story later. I feel that could be interesting, if a little grim.))
Did you mean the "sh*t" that I missed or the Chinese?
I think that if the little children are so determined to learn Mandarin that they even know the swearwords, they deserve whatever they get. =]
Marina
The vampire didn't try anything so I found myself with only me and nightmares about the night the Fomors ruined my life. Soo much fun. Then this Luxray was coming around for me, so I ran away. Lightning are really bad for health. Then there is this strange flood from 'Single Tears' and I manage to steal his canteen while his back is turned...Now I know these tears are, at least. Must be that way Skavis' victims feel. Losing now is a bit disappointing, but at least, I found a perfect ingredient for potions. Seeing Sue killing themselves because of their cheap despair seems a pretty interesting idea, and someone just signed in for being a test subject...
Richard
All was going so well. I had a rather remote position where I could wait for the worst of the killing to pass, and where to carry the loot from the crates — Staff played too much Worms in my opinion when this happened. Single Tears everywhere, lightning, mass murder... By the time I collected myself I had dropped from this ducking cliff. Losing like this feels really bad, and Marina is out too, talking about using Single Tears as a basis for potion. And the way she's looking at Zeb gives me chills...
(OOC: Must admit I'm a bit disappointed from being out so soon, but heh, that's the game.)
Didn't exepct an Arena event and bloodbath so soon, though. At least the deaths were interesting.
I think the generator might be set to call in Arena Events when there are few kills - without it, we would've had five deaths in two days despite beign a 48 tribute season.
Most of the test runs didn't trigger one even after 7-8 days.
Colt: You're kidding me! I mean sure, I got a bit banged up last night, but drowning! That's no fair. Did work with that one Time Lord that crashed into the fountain a bit back to find others before that, though.
Library: I had an interesting encounter during the night, but... I'm beginning to question how good an idea doing this was. This is terrible.
Gerry: Figures that Colt wouldn't last. They're starting to make this brutal- Single Tears? Eugh. I'm lucky I didn't have an attack.
JF: A-hunting we will go a-huuunting weee will gooooooo~~
Though I do kinda want to see her have a run-in with Dafydd. Good lord.
Alex: Aw man... and here I thought I might be able to win this... Ah well. If I can't, Ave had better kick everyone's butts!
Farilan: Well, I must say, that Supernumerary fellow is actually rather interesting, for a human. Even if he is rude.
I don't care that I was eliminated early—what, me? Swim? You can't be serious!—since I can continue my observations remotely. It's not the same as being in the midst of the action, but you do what you have to do.
Zeb: *grimaces* I still feel kind of bad about giving that guy the Single Tears water... but if I don't start taking people out now, that's just more for me to fight later. Sorry, whoever you were.
The Aviator: *glares* So what if I cried myself to sleep? That's not any news, so [CENSORED] off you [CENSORED].
Single Tear? [CENSORED], please. Considering I was at a twenty percent glitter level last I checked, all that did was cause my tracker shackle to go haywire. It's gonna take a lot more than angst to kill me. Time Lord, remember? If you could harness our angst, you could power the [CENSORED] multiverse with it.
But where is this twenty percent level coming from? I mean, getting a higher-than-average level after her first regeneration was pretty normal, but now? The change is centuries-old, you showed again and again that the bad moments in her life are nothing trivial to her, that she didn't see this event as a ticket for awesome, that she was not some Speshul Sueflake during the TW,etc.
Really, really sorry for bringing this up, but I fail to see how this glitter level is justified. Things almost never went easy for her, and it was always showed in your stories. I honestly feel like giving her this glitter level is adding insult to the injury, by demeaning everything that ever happened to her: "Everything you suffered? Ah, that's only wangsting! No go back to work, Sue."
Again, I'm really sorry for this rant, but it always bugged me. Please don't take this in the wrong way.
More like "she did a lot of Sueish things and glitter doesn't disappear overnight".
Because when you look at it...
>Ordinary teenage (fan)girl
>Becomes one of HQ's most famous agents in the space of a year
>Gets turned into a Time Lord
>Goes crazy, steals a TARDIS and spends some time playing Doctor
>Gets caught up in an angst-filled time loop and plays a massive part in another agent's history
>Enlists in the military and gets promoted way too young because she lied about her age
>Everyone she loves dies
>And then the failure of a story that was her coming back where the DIA treated her way more harshly than anyone else because reasons, no I'm not still bitter about that
So... yeah, glitter levels had been rising for a while and that's not going to just go away on its own. Only reason I didn't say it was higher is because the getting turned into a Time Lord thing was actually possible in the PPC universe.
Like you say, glitter don't disappear overnight, but none of these points are something that was bought up overnight, for the sake of speshulness.
>Ordinary teenage (fan)girl? How many World One agents fit this bill at the beginning?
>Sure she's famous. After getting thrown in a cubic duckton of missions who got after her again and again, and broke her. Fame in this madhouse is always earned, for an unfair prize.
>See above point. Besides, sending only two agents, one of them a newbie, against a Legendary? Reality ensued. And she wasn't exactly thrilled with the change, she didn't adapt overnight, etc. (Pretty sure the reason she snapped on this Sue before LMM was because the little ducktard got everything so easy.)
>Sending already broken agent against another Legendary, after she thought her partner died because of her a second time, and three suicide attempts? Like Huinesoron said, Flowers are lucky she didn't go for a flamethrower. And you said she laid low during this part o her life. Pretty sure she would have been spotted through the canon-breaking otherwise.
>Time-loop seemed to end up with an almost certain death, in the same way the Doctor saw Trenzalore as his tomb. Pretty sure angst was justified.
>She had a good professor, previous experience with firearms, etc. Besides, saying the truth would have let her unable to fit the loop, or worst.
>Yep, and it's painfully obvious how much it hurts. Being a survivor in these conditions is emotional hell, only made worse once she knew her Gallifrey is destroyed. No future left here.
>People who were to be blamed for this were, not really anything to add. Wasn't your idea, and must admit except the Guardsman, Naya, Tera, Lola, and Algie, recent DIA had this neo-Black Cats feel... (Must admit the electric shock thing of the first version felt barbaric.)
Guess I'm overreacting since I'm the only one to talk about this, but I needed to get this out of the system. Sorry for the rant.disturbance.
Your counterarguments for points 1-3 seem to be 'it wasn't her that was special, it was the circumstances.' Which, uh, is how about 90% of Suvians justify it. "There's nothing special about Gary Stuart - it's not his fault he was pulled into Middle-earth in exactly the right place to stumble across the Teflon Ring and was then asked - he didn't volunteer, he was begged - to go on the Quest so that Gandalf could use him (again, he's not doing anything!) as a power source! And it's certainly not his fault Legolas fell in love with him - he doesn't even like men, how can you blame that on him?"
To which the PPC would quite rightly reply, "Hi Gary, we're from the Department of Mary Sues, and boy, have we got some charges for you..."
... I think I lost track of where this was going.
The actual justification for point 2 in particular is 'Iximaz writes lots of stories, so Rina is going to be a prominent character. Nothing wrong with that'. Dafydd went the same way.
hS
PS: Also, we should appoint Rassilon Lord President of the PPC and take over the universe. Since I'm supposed to be his advocate and all. ;) ~hS
It is more clear. The justification for point 2 was the one I was talking about, but if I can't argument correctly... she still paid for this a huge cost.
Morgan already tried a variation of this, and we know how well it went.
I mean, she did conquer the entirety of reality. Her only problem was the same one every Whoniverse villain faces: she failed to properly deal with the Doctor.
Also she totally regrets that and would never do it again honest.
hS ^_~
"I have been completely unable to watch anything other than the highlight reels due to the demands of my position both on the ConCounOfGaInEx and in the organization in general. Additionally, learn to cry in a dignified manner, Moon Moon, you're letting the side down."
((What? She can't say anything, she's stuck in the Arena!))
((hS))
((... that she's a flaming Suvian, right? Stands to reason she'd have Sueish powers like long-range telepathy. ^_~))
((((All in jest, as I hope is obvious. (And in far too many brackets.)))))
((hS))
... oh, yeah. You don't happen to have a Tektek/Gaia Online picture of the current Aviator, do you? I'd quite like to make her collar-portrait to go with the others. I can put one together if the answer's no, just thought I'd ask.
hS
Got my hands on a copy of Lungbarrow a while ago and have been slowly reading it between homework, writing, and playing WoW. The EU has some... interesting differences. Like furniture eating people.
I'm beginning to see why Lungbarrow was basically wiped out of canon, it's absolutely surreal and bizarre.
Oh, right, long-range telepathy. I don't know how far they can go, but one Time Lord was able to 'talk' to another through a door. No physical contact necessary.
(((((((WHEE BRACKETS)))))))
And I don't have one at the moment, sorry. I stopped messing with that avatar maker after TekTek got taken down. :(
I'm on the Gaia avatar builder but it looks like it's crashed again. I'll keep trying.
I don't know what coats would and wouldn't work with whatever collar you decide to go with, so I'll just give her base outfit and let you take care of the rest.
(I was having some problems getting skin color to change, it should be much darker.)
Midnight Gothic Bat Boots
Icy Oujo-sama's Eyes
Dark Supreme Thunder
Black Peasant Gloves
Black Renegade's A-Shirt
Black Goth Pants
Lyndexer's Pilot Goggle
I think I've cobbled something together that might work.
Same as the other outfit, only with a few additions:
Human Potion C
Elegant White Satin Coat
Flight of Fancy (flowing scarf)
Yes? No? Maybeso?
I'll put something together next week.
(Oh, if you've still got it and are bored, could you do one without long hair at the back, and without the background if possible? I can work around both, but I figured I might as well ask.)
hS
I can't wait to see what you come up with!
... you get options.
I did the 'gears' version first, followed by... well, whatever those other two are! Thoughts?
hS
AAAAAAAAAA
*deep breath*
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHA
OKAY, THESE ARE AWESOME!
*ahem*
I like the middle one the best. :D Wow, hS, you've really outdone yourself!
*shameless squeeing intensifies*
With the Notary continuing to face the wrong way, because she's contrary because flipping the picture would mean her name was backwards to symbolise her role as Rassilon's advocate a check on the Council's enthusiasm.
At some point I'm going to try and read the Librarian's collar and end up nerd-sniping myself.
hS
And this reminds me: I'm still trying to pull together ideas for "Continuity: Gallifrey Returns" other than "Oh son of a beeyach Rassion's on the loose". Might shoot an email your way later; I've been pestering the other (still active) writers.
And pfff, nerd-sniping. I'm gonna have to use that in the future.
If you don't mind nerd-sniping, could you also talk about the Counciliors' circles? Now I looked at them, I'm curious to know what they mean.
... the Councillors' names in Circular Gallifreyan. So 'Agent' has a nice tidy one, while 'Disentangler'... yeah, hers is a bit much.
And for good measure, the one easily readable word on the Librarian's collar (the one in both the bottom corners) is 'Jade', as in Jade Warden.
hS
But since the dream avatar builder isn't working, I'm going to have a bit of a hard time editing out the background.
Come on, do you think I wear this sash for my health?
((Thank you! I'm happy to muck about with that. Question: how involved would her costume--)) Ceremonial robes. ((--yeah, that, be. Are we talking 'chuck a bit of white in', 'wedding dress with epaulettes', or somewhere between?))
((hS))
...that'll work with this collar. I'm not real happy about having to ditch my usual jacket.
((I was thinking just a white coat of some sort. I couldn't get very many good options to come up since the regular dressing room wasn't working, so... *shrugs* I trust your fashion sense. :P))
(And thanks, hS, I think you made the point much better than I was trying to.)
I honestly no reason for a glitter level so high, even in-universe.
Dafydd
Stealth is... not working out so well. Turns out that some of the handy camoflaguing plants? Toxic. I'm a Noldo, I'm not supposed to get infected. Ugh. Good thing I remembered a decent healing song.
That still didn't mean I wanted to tangle with a mace-wielding Supernumerary. I had to run (well, stumble) for higher ground - which turned out to be a good thing, since I got to sit out the flood from the comfort of a treetop. I don't think the others were as lucky...
Kaitlyn
Some meanie stole my mushrooms. I found some in a cave this morning, and was going to fry them up for dinner, but someone made off with them! I kind of hope whoever it was died in the flooding - is that wrong of me? I'd ask Alleb what she thinks, but I saw her get struck by lightning during the flood.
Wait... lightning? I hope that wasn't Selene at work...
Selene
You know what would be nice? Not getting lost in the night. I'm a vampire, I should be able to navigate easily!
Since the presenters said before we started that our powers would be 'reduced', and since Wobbles wandered off during the day, I spent today testing my other abilities. Transformation is gone, but I still have my strength: I took out a DoSAT tech pretty easily. (Which gave me flashbacks to the DIA harassing me about Makes-Things, but I digress). And the flooding let me test out my persuasiveness - whoever that girl was, she accepted the water without question.
I wonder if I can find Wobbles again? It was good to have someone to listen to and keep my mind off things.
Not hungry yet.
Morgan
At least my nose is better. But I haven't slept. The girl with no hair has it out for me, I'm sure - she showed up with (of all people) Dr. Fitzgerald in tow to attack my camp, and I was up half the night fending them off with a stick. Then when I tried to sleep through the morning, some sort of Dark Elf lunatic dual-wielding a sickle and a staff decided to attack me. Do I have a target painted on my collar or something?
Focus, Morgan, focus. But it's so hard when there's all this stuff going on. I had to kill one agent just to shut her up, during the flood.
Ugh. I need a drink.
Captain Dandy
Now, that just wasn't fair. I did everything right - assembling a team from the Sub Rosa's spies to work together at night, encouraging Tacitus to go after the Tiger Lily (I know she's watching me), gathering limbs to keep my allies warm. And then what happens? A flood of Single Tears. I, of course, stay out of their reach, but the umbrella would have been useful to my allies.
Except for the lightning. That was not so useful.
The Tiger Lily
Final field report: Agent Supernumerary displayed agressive tendencies towards multiple agents. Agent Gall appears not to be an issue. Agent Tacitus clearly singled out myself for attack. Agent Gremlin a confirmed Flower-killer. I do not approve of the underhanded tactics used by the game designers; they should be monitored. I am leaving now.
Ain't no party like an oompahty. =]
But I don't know what she looks like. :-/
(Whether or not the Doktor would have hands by that point is in the air right now...)
hS
However, I'm also paranoid to a ridiculous extent. Agent Alleb is not exactly identical to me, but she looks quite similar, and I don't like the idea of giving out my physical description. So, hS, if you still want to draw it, would you mind if I gave you a general description and left the particulars to you?
-Alleb, who is jumpier than a conspiracy theorist near a black helicopter.
You could knock together a quick pseudo-close-ish representation on, for instance, this thing, and leave a few vague comments about the stuff you can't see, like armour details, scarring, tattoos, that kinda stuff.
How do you post images to the Board, exactly? I keep meaning to ask Ixi, but I always forget.
-Alleb
(img src="this is the url of my image")(/img)
Only using the pointy brackets instead. The quotation marks are important.
Also: Rinmaru Mega Anime Avatar doesn't upload images automatically; you have to do so manually by uploading the image to something like tinypic. =]
I tried the tinypic thing, but it asked me to type in the security code above and there was no security code. I think I'll just send a screenshot to hS; technology is not my strong point.
-Alleb
I'm not one to talk about images right now, given that my preferred image host is -- yep -- still down for maintenance. You have my email.
(Probably won't draw it until Monday anyway; different computers, different programs...)
hS
Corolla: Poor Harris, I spent all night patching him up and then he died today. Well, luckily I found a rather safe cave while going around with Zeb - it saved our lives during the Arena Event. Zeb's also got a kill - a rather cheaty one, in my opinion, but anything goes here.
Sergio: Well, I guess that Chinese saying, “If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by”, has its truth. While I was perched up on a tree to avoid the flood, I saw Androia's body floating in the water. Should thank that Tacitus guy for that. Hopefully, there will be no nightmares tonight.
Rayson: I'm alive! I managed to get that Andalite on the run with some Telus-fu, then she drowned and I didn't! I love my ladder.
Library: While I know these things tend to... get out of hand rather easily, if the Quiddich league games are any indication, there's nothing wrong with some competition between agents.
Colt: I signed up because... wait, why did I sign up? Right, Gerry said she didn't think I could last since I've never worked in an action department. I'm going to prove her wrong.
Gerry: I plan on proving to certain knuckleheads that just because I haven't worked in the field for years, it doesn't mean I've lost my touch.
JF: *wild bouncing* Ohmanthisisgonnabefunheydowegettowearcostumesforthepre-Gamesthingtheydointhebooksandmovies oh oh oh oh man I can use real fire in this and not get in trouble for torching someone right? Right? Since it's supposed to be on purpose??? Yeeeeeeees.
{Day one ones will come when I have time.}
Library: Hopefully chooosing the prudent path will work out in my favor for the long run- I knew staying near the Cornucopia would be a bad idea, and it's only sensible to learn more information about the other competitors.
Gerry: A shield and spear is pretty good kit. I was lucky nabbing the first, and the spear wasn't too hard to make. I feel pretty prepared.
Colt: I got a lighter and some rope, and I ran into some girl. We didn't fight, but I'll probably have to do that sooner or later. Have no idea what to do with the lighter, but I'm sure it'll come in handy.
JF: Firefirefirefirefirefirefirefire Errr whoo I took on two people at once!
Am I the only one parsing that as "it's gonna be a total accident but I can CLAIM it was deliberate"? :D
hS
Pre-game:
Corolla: This is going to be fun! I was hoping to get in the previous one too, but there were no places left so I got left out. After all, I don't get much action lately. Kinda miss that. But I also love my current job...
Sergio: Well, I've been out of the action for a while, but I cannot let myself become rusty. This will be good exercise.
Nikki: I wasn't sure about this, but Sergio insisted. He says that we have to keep ourselves ready for anything.
Rayson: I... kinda got dragged in by Corolla. Don't hurt me?
Day 1
Corolla: That guy looked scary, and I'm not so good at close combat so I decided for a tactical retreat. Yes, tactical. Luckily I met Zeb afterwards - we're workign together for now. I wonder if he'll let me ride him?
Sergio: Avoiding the Cornucopia proved to be a good idea, and I found a river rather early so I managed to get myself water and a couple of fishes. All looking good, until I ran into Nikki's mangled body. Damn, why we split up? Apparenly the killer is Androia Avatar, a night elf or something. Doesn't matter, I'm used to fighting magical stuff. It's fu[BLEEEP!] on now.
Nikki: Well... that hurt. I really see now what Sergio was meaning - I've been beaten like a complete newbye. If that was real life, I would be dead now. Time to start training again?
Rayson: I managed to run away from the Cornucopia, and then found two other players. I don't think they saw me, but I was afraid to ask them to team up - what if they killed me?
Richard
I thought it was only a traning event when I signed us in, but I should have known better about HQ... Well, guess you can't live here without going some crazy event. Hope I won't die too soon...
Marina
That' my partner's fault. He thought it was a good idea, and must admit, me too, since they threw me at the Sues right from the start... Moreover, I have to go through this 'World One' disguise again to not hex the simulation, like we tried in our last mission... Wait, talking about the game. Ha, not telling anything important for my opponents to listen. Just this: Richard, if I get you in the Arena, I won't play nice...
Day One
Richard
To be honest, I hoped with all the savy people I could go to the Cornucopia, but once I saw the Captain, the Aviator, Tiger Lily, I went for savy... From the sound of it, JF proved me right. After that, it was going for food, so I'm ready for the next days, something really hard with a sword. Took me all the day.
Marina
Avoid the obvious deathtrap? Check. Finding a group ready for backstabbing in order to go for the rests once they're dead? Check, now I found this Black Court Vampire talking about an alliance with someone, so it will be quick... What do you mean, she's a Stokerverse vampire? That's what I said. Seriously, he could have added "How to kill these super-zombies", or a Victorian variant, to Dracula if he had knew his book's true purpose...
Would love to see other people's shots of this. (I've given Corolla her wings because, er... I wanted to!)
hS
So if you want to look at anything from me, it won't have images until they get back up.
hS
Hieronymus
Volunteered? Who told you that I volunteered? I was dragged in by my partner. She just didn’t stop nagging.
Androia
Of course I dragged him in. If we will ever get to doing something here, I must know what the old man actually can do on a mission. As for me, I am so new to this job that I did not actually fully arrive yet. I need the competition with other agents to see whether I am good enough, or whether all this was just a really bad idea.
((Now going to look what we did today.))
Hieronymus
Well, what would you do if you see a Viking lass armed with a humongous mace walking straight up at you? Try to kiss her? I preferred running away. And then this other guy crossed my way, and he couldn’t just mind his own business. He had to yell some gibberish at me – was this French? or Chinese? – pointing here and there, so I turned around to look what he was pointing at, and when I turned back, he was gone. Well, that’s probably for the best.
Androia
This started quite well. I got a spare weapon that probably fits my secondary weapon skill, and I won a fight. So I learned already something. Those fancy sci-fi people depend too much on their technology and energy weapons. They are no match for a night-elf lurking in the underbrush.
((Hieronymus would know better, but you cannot expect Androia getting this right. She heard the commentator say “energy sword” and jumped to conclusions, probably thinking of light sabers.))
Tacitus
Collecting data on others requires field work. I don't expect to win this at all-- I'm just here for the info. Plus, If I can get to punch a few people while I'm at it, it's all good.
Yakov
Me? Oh, I don't know. Sittin' 'round the RC and watchin' TV was gettin' borin'. So I sees this murder-hidey-death-survival game and I says to meself: "Eh, why not? Plus, I get to skip a few days of work." That should git Bulldog off my back-- been chasin' me for late reports. Ee's, uh, not 'ere, is 'ee?
Harris
I'm here because I wanted Gaspard to get out more. Sure, I kinda lied and told him that the Hunger Games was some culinary thing, but he's out and about and is gonna have fun. I don't expect either of us to win, but I might as well give it a shot. You never know.
I'm doing this for you, buddy. You'd better be thankful.
Gaspard
Harris, your ass is grass and I'm going to mow it.
The single most hardcore grass-based threat I've heard in my entire life.
Tacitus
Found explosives and currently searching for water source. Stalked a few agents from the shadows. All of them seem to be getting their bearings-- the action is only just starting.
Will attempt to set up a trap if time permits. Need to find a safe place to sleep.
Yakov
Run, little thingy, run. I 'ave no idea who she was, but she ain't gettin' anything from the supply drop at the centre. Grabbed what I can, went into the woods. Gonna build meself a fire for the night-- and hide. As soon one of these guys pops in to investigate, Imma gonna git 'im.
Harris
The Cornucopia is for suckers. If anyone reasonably strong finds himself a weapon in there then everyone is dead. Gonna hide in the forest and forage for food. I feel like I'm being watched, though. I don't like this. I think I'll keep moving and try to blend in-- we're Spies for crying out loud. Sneaky-beaky is the name of our game.
Gaspard
I wanna go home. I'm being chased by some madman-- I managed to give him the slip and escaped. I can't be eliminated yet-- I need to find Harris and throttle him.
I should find a weapon or something. There's this nice stick nearby-- I think it could be a decent spear or something.
Za'kiir: Bombs? Bombs are... This one has no idea how to use them. This one has never used them. They do not exist in Nirn. But no matter - patience and stealth, remember; a lesson soon learned is a kill soon earned. Alkosh protect me, and Sangiin guide my paws and path! For I follow Death today!
Natalie: Ow. Ow. Ow. And more ow. I have no idea how I hurt myself, but this is not good. Got a big mace that I can use a little, but I think someone's following me... I'm secretly panicking.
Laura
Not gonna lie, I was miffed about missing the previous PPC Hunger Games. Consequence-free blood sports sounds like a hell of a party. Not to mention that I've always been curious about who would win in a fight between me and some of the other agents here. Time to find out!
James
Just when I think I have a handle on this place, it throws me another curveball. I get the idea of sparrin' for fun just fine, but fightin' other agents on some sort of holodeck — I don't know about that. Still, it'll be interesting to see how well some of these other folks do, given all the differences in trainin'.
Gremlin
Who doesn't love a good brawl from time to time? Admittedly, I'm more at home in the city than in this fake nature arena thing, but it should still be fun. At least no one here will try to possess me in here as part of the fight.
Xericka
I have absolutely no interest in this event. I do not see the point of it. The only reason I elected to join is because my partner begged me.
((More reactions to follow.))
Laura
Kinda wished I had grabbed more from the Cornucopia than just a shovel. It's useful and all, but I'm not out here to dig trenches. I need to think about the long game; you know, food and stuff. This cave I found will do all right for shelter. Somebody might try trapping me in it, sure, but I'm pretty sure that would go badly for them in multiple ways.
James
I need to keep as much distance between me and the other players. Especially the Flowers; I was more than a bit surprised to see a couple of them out there. Got to stake out a few good spots and use them to my advantage. That's why I skipped the Cornucopia entirely and focused on investigatin' the arena. Know the terrain, and you can control it.
Gremlin
I don't believe this. I DON'T F***ING BELIEVE THIS!
Things were going pretty well. Got some food, broke that Time Lady's nose — I was getting things done! Then I look around and my partner HAS FALLEN DOWN A F***ING HOLE! Ta ma de! Now I've got no one to watch my back. Ugh, I feel like I'm losing my mind.
I swear, if Xericka deliberately fell down that hole to get out of this, we are going to have some words after this.
Xericka
I did not deliberately fall down that hole. While I had no desire to participate in the competition, actively sabotaging myself did not seem to be an acceptable way out. I made a promise to Gremlin and had every intention to keep it. I was merely trying to maneuver to a better spot on the outskirts of the Cornucopia when I fell into the trap.
As a note: teleportation by darkness portal is less than effective in the middle of a fall (if the fall is not long enough to allow for it).
Perhaps this is for the best. I will fully admit to not being a strong combatant. Observation and analysis is far more appealing to me.
* * * * *
((Oh, Xericka. I had such high hopes.))
For a Gall-Gremlin teamup? It would be fun to see them kick butt together before one of them inevitably backstabs the other. {= )
~Neshomeh
That's one matchup I definitely want to see. Come on, RNG...
Nume
Yes, Ilraen talked me into this madness again. I admit, though, since I almost won last year, it might not be a complete waste of time. I may not be a fighter, but I guarantee I can outsmart ninety-nine percent of the competition.
Ilraen
Well, I did not really get a chance to compete last time. This year, I hope to prove that I am more than a name on a page. I am an Andalite, and that means I have the spirit of a warrior and the mind of a philosopher. I should be able to hold my own, whether through force or cunning.
Derik
Why did I sign up? It was Gall's idea, of course, but . . . *grin* I'm going to beat her, and if that means I have to beat forty-six other agents first, then that's just fine with me. I've got nothing to lose, and that girl needs to understand she can't just punch her way out of everything.
Gall
Oh yeah, baby, Gall is in the house! Everyone had better stay out of my way, because I am going to beat face all the way to the top! Woo!
Ilraen
. . . *facepalm*
Nume
So Ilraen got himself blown up right out of the gate again, huh? Damn. I blame Legal. He's the one of us who actually wants to be here, so of course he'd be the first to go.
Oh, that. Look, nobody told me there would be Flowers in this, and it's absurd. I was going to get out of the way, but then I saw the Tiger Lily picking up a frelling mace, and it just p***ed me off. What does a telepathic plant need with a mace? I'm not gonna use it, but I wasn't gonna let her have it, either. Same goes for Captain Dandy. I wasn't able to corner him today, but maybe tomorrow. We'll see what happens.
Derik
The Cornucopia is never a good idea. My plan was to get away and catch up with my dear partner as quickly as possible, but I wasn't able to find her. It seems she's actually being stealthy. Still, I got a good look at the Arena, which should serve me well.
Gall
Did you see the look on that old guy's face? Priceless!
That Flower is really bugging me, though. If she thinks she's getting my mace, she can forget it.
I didn't attack because you don't go after the weak opponents first. You take out the competition in the beginning, when you're at full strength, then pick off the weak at your leisure.
And thankfully, my guys seem to be ... relatively OK, considering that Aiko decided to fight with a Flower over something, though at least she smart enough to ran away quickly and that Henry is already going insane. But hey, at least they are both still alive!
Anyway, on to the pre-game interviews!
Henry: This sounds like it will be fun. PPC agents are obviously way smarter and more creative in battle than Warrior Sues, so it should be interesting to see how fighting with other agents will go. Although I do hope that I'm not forced to fight anyone from my district, specially my partner. I have read the whole The Hunger Games series so I know how these things go, but I still would rather not end killing a friend.
Aiko: I joined mostly because Henry has read that series and thus wanted to do this for some reason. I couldn't leave my friend and partner to do this crazy thing alone, though probably much like him, I hope I don't have to fight him. Not only would not like to have to fight a friend, but he's a much better physical fighter and knows how these games go better than I, so he would probably have the upper hand. But still, this sounds like it will be fun, so I hope to do my best in this.
Henry: Of course I ran away from the Cornucopia. If you have seen The Hunger Games in their canon, then you know any supplies there are not worth getting caught in the bloodbath that usually happens. It seems that most of people participating in these Games were smart enough to stay away from, though unfortunately my partnet decided, for some reason, to fight with a Glaurunging Flower over something. Why did they put Flowers in this anyway!? Ugh. You know, having read these things, I though I would be able to handle this better. but I think I'm already starting to lose it ...
Aiko: OK, so ending fighting with Captain Dandy over that bag of ... crystals? Well, whatever those were, that probably was not the best idea. I wish I could have gotten a bow or something similar. I also wish I knew more about these Games. Henry didn't have much time to explain things to me, so it seems that he knows something about this ... Cornucopia that I didn't, since he immediately took off. That probably was smarter, considering people got blown up back there.
At least I found this Colt guy afterwards. He seems nice enough, though I don't know how well he will fare in a fight, since it doesn't serm that he is from an action department. Though can't shake the feeling that we are being watched by someone.
Like... so.
I can't seem to be able to close the thing properly. Could you please show me how to write the code properly?
Just close off the [b]section you want formatted[/b] like so, using the carrot brackets instead.
Alex chasing after JF... yeah. He'd definitely do that. You don't want to see the real Alex playing the Hunger Games in Minecraft; kid's ruthless.And yesss Corolla using Zeb as a steed I like this
Anyway, as for the interviews... do you want them in script format to match the commentary?
Alex: Oh man, this is going to be awesome! I've never worked in the field before so I don't know how well I'm gonna do, but I'm definitely going to give it my best shot! I've been practicing with a training light saber so I think I might have an okay chance at winning.
Zeb: From what I've read, it's really not too different from a Pokémon battle... an unstructured, free-for-all, backstabbing Pokémon battle. It should be an interesting experience going up against opponents more intelligent than your average Sue, though, that's for sure.
The Aviator: I'm only here because my brother and partner made me come. Maybe I'll just step off the plate at the beginning just to **** them off... eh. I dunno. But I spent three hundred years dodging Dalek death rays—hey, alliteration—so if I go out, it's probably because I got bored or the other guy got lucky.
Farilan: I still think the whole concept is absolutely barbaric, but who am I to pass up a chance to study the primitive killing rituals of other species?
Alex: Oh, man, did you see me out there?! I'm doing pretty good so far!
Zeb: Shame about Ilraen; I was kind of hoping to team up with the guy later. *shrugs* Corolla's been pretty fun so far, though.
The Aviator: Wait, the Tiger Lily is in this?! Do you have any idea what this means? I can't kill her, even if it is self-defense! You heard what she wanted to do to me—if I so much as fight her in here it's going to be seen as a personal attack! Ugh...
Farilan: Yes, I know, I twisted my hoof. Shut up. I'm used to laboratory floors, not this rocky terrain nonsense.
Oh, the other Andalite? So he went and got himself killed. Why should I care? This is only a simulation.
Ave-TL teamup.
Followed by 'The Aviator triumphantly kills them both' again, because some habits are hard to break. ^_^
hS
Dafydd
Hi all - I'm sure you're familiar with my name, if not my face. Dafydd Illian, formerly of DOGA. I'm here because I traded favours with the Nutmeg crew - I'll say no more - but I intend to try and win this. Is there anyone in the Games who can stand up to a Son of Feanor? I don't think so.
Kaitlyn
This is gonna be so much fun! ^_^ Okay, I admit I only signed up because Selene did (and we all know why she joined - I will say no more), but time away from the RC will do me good - and in a pretty Arena, no less! Sure, there'll be murder and violence everywhere, but on the plus side, there might be mushrooms too...
Selene
I'll get this out right at the start: my partner thinks I'm here to see Dafydd. That's not true. I may have been in some way... interested... in him in the past, but that was a long time ago. I'm here because I need a break - from missions, and from control. The DIA can't touch me in the Arena, right?
Morgan
This is a game I can win. I'm an excellent shot, I'm more intelligent than most, and I don't do scared. It's fear that kills in the Arena, and for the next... however long it takes, I intend to be the fear. ... I just hope there's some alcohol on hand.
Captain Dandy
Well, it's all in fun, isn't it? I admit I've been out of touch with our agents this past decade; it will be excellent to test the new batch's skills in person. And if I demonstrate along the way that the PPC's defenders are a force to be reckoned with, that can only be a good thing, right?
The Tiger Lily
This is deadly serious. Agents who display violent tendencies in this simulation may be significant security issues on the outside, as well. I'll need access to all footage after I leave, to run a proper analys- what? No, I'm not just joining because the Weed did! What a ridiculous notion. ... but I'll beat him, you just wait and see.
Dafydd
I hope you can already see my tactic: stealth. There's no point collecting weapons at this point - with 48 (wait, 44 now the cannons have gone) of us in here, anything I collect will be stolen twelve times by morning. No, the right thing to do is stay low, stay out of everyone's way, and wait for the rest of them to wear each other down.
Kaitlyn
Wow! This is pretty intense. Did you see all those people attacking each other at the Cornucopia? Obviously I didn't want to get tangled up in that, so while they were all distracted, I slipped away. I found this lovely open field, and this lovely girl - name's Alleb; we've been picking flowers all afternoon. Not, I hasten to add, (just) for fun (or just so's I could practice making daisy crowns for her): I'm not too bad a botanist, and any information I can get on the kind of things growing in here might help me find food in the absence of mushrooms.
Selene
I've seen agents running around by themselves all day, but I think they've got the wrong idea. Teamwork, that's the way to go. Why does the PPC give us partners? So we have someone to watch our backs, and help us when we get in trouble. Okay, I admit neither of my official partners in here has spared me a second glance, but there's still room for alliances. Wobbles and Jesse have been perfectly helpful - Wobbles reminds me a little of Kaitlyn, actually. And if I get hungr- no, never mind that.
Morgan
Winnig this thig is dot goig to be as easy as I thought. I dod't have a clue who that girl with do hair was, but she broke by dose with her wild swigig! Dow I'b having to rud away frob levitatig fish - how ebbarassig! At least it should heal edough overdight that I'll be able to talk properly agaid...
Captain Dandy
What's that saying? 'Well begun is half-done'? This game is very well-begun indeed. There wasn't much I needed at the Fertilizer-Horn - sorry, Cornucopia. The only really useful thing was a satchel of food crystals. Why that cheerful agent wanted it, I shan't even begin to guess, but I emerged victorious.
I have had the feeling someone's been following me today, though. I don't recognize their mind, but they have a trace of the Tiger Lily about them - perhaps one of her agents? Or just someone she encountered in the Arena... well, being a Flower in a chamber full of plants has its advantages; I'm certain I can shake them off.
The Tiger Lily
Field report #1. Physical combat isn't as easy as it feels. Agent Supernumerary has a possible habit of assaulting Flowers - he attacked me, and I noted him stalking the Weed. I have been keeping half my mind on him, while also observing Agent Gall - contact between the two of them has been noted before, and it is possible they share similar proclivities. I will continue to monitor and report.
There's PPC levels of crazy, and then there's just plain masochistic.
If you prefer to think that the simulated pain is just a fraction of the real one, you're by all means free to.
Who knows? Considering how HQ works, maybe the ones who expect full pain feel it while the others don't.
She was looking for garlic. ;)
... if you're thinking anti-Selene measures, or seasoning for any prospective mushrooms.
Either works.
hS
Also:
"Morgan diverts The Doktor's attention and runs away."
I... I want this partnership. The Doktor und Morgan. Irrepressible Teutonic happiness versus grumpy Gallifreyan sourness. That's a recipe for capital-F Fun.
Possibly in the Dwarf Fortress sense of the word. =]
Wobbles The Clown: Gosh, isn't this exciting? I mean, I know I'm not gonna do super great because there's a whole bunch of experienced agents in here and I don't like killing people who could be my friends one day but it's still super exciting and I hope you guys are making sure that any blood on the screen has the Ketchup Disclaimer if you're even thinking about putting it on or near NutMint.
Doktor Trollenfisch: Hello mein Freund! I am beink very excited about zer opportunity to test mein self against zer best HQ has to offer in zer ring of combat! Zer honour of zer Department of WhatThe is at stake! Also, vhile I am beink in zer simulation, if somevun could trot along to Responsezentrum 347 und make sure mein partner attends her FicPsych appointments and ist generally improvink in terms of mental health und vellbeink, zat vould be very much appreciated. Echt klasse!
Field Commander Lola McCandless: This is gonna be a really helpful thing. However long I last - and, y'know, I'm quietly confident - I'm an SRO; knowing in this kind of detail what potential partners are capable in a fight to the death is always useful.
Algernon, 7th Earl Wymbourne: Oh, was that today? D-mn! I have yet to sign up and must away. Good luck to my fellow competitors!
Doktor Trollenfisch: Jawohl! Zer Time Lord known as Morgan ist havink zer leetle problems vizz zer Time Fisch! Hahaha! Ach ja, zis ist beink fun! Gabrielle, if you are vatchink, zen I am hopink you are beink proud of mein Intimidatink nature! Echt klasse!
Field Commander Lola McCandless: Ow ow ow ow ow [CENSORED] thorns ow ow thorns spiky ow ow ow [EXTREMELY CENSORED] thorns. Also found bombs and wished I was a [REALLY, REALLY CENSORED] Engineer class back in the Mountain ow ow OW!
Wobbles the Clown: Well, the compomatition's been going super well so far! I met a really super nice person called Selene Windflower and we went fishing together and after we talked with someone called Jesse and it was really super fun and nobody was brutally killed by agents we haven't met and we exchanged numbers and it ended up being kinda nice and not at all as covered in the red stuff as I thought it was gonna be. So that's nice! =oD
Algernon, 7th Earl Wymbourne: Another agent and I have been searching this place for resources. Alas, it does not appear that the simulated grasses in this place have sworn fealty to the Raven King, and the Holodeck itself is a rather cantankerous fellow. I am thus rather more defenseless than the average agent, and am thankful for the protecting presence of Mr. Green.
Wobbles The Clown: Soooooo last night was pretty fun! I built a new play house out of mud and leaves and some sculpting balloons from the supply chest near the spot I picked and I got a good night's sleep, which is really super important because you've got to be on your toesies around a bunch of sleep-deprived professional exterminators and that one guy from Building Maintenance who might have died already, I can't remember. But today was... kind of bad from a me-perspective because a whole bunch of people died of being horribly poisoned by Sueness and/or lightning bolts, and that gave me a whole lot of uncomfortable flashbacks, but my new buddy Gremlin was really super-nice about it and we talked about cartoons and stuff and wow do I ever have to get Young Justice syndicated for the show one of these days, prolly in the fall slot when we run out of Steven Multiverse from that weird Time Lord dimension. Gotta go, the playhouse awaits! =oD
Doktor Trollenfisch: ... I am beink ein fried Trollenfisch at zer moment. However, zer exercise vas interestink in ze extreme, und it ist alvays nice to get out of zer Responsezentrum for zer stretchink of zer fins, ja? Besides, zer important think ist zat I acqwitted myself vell, despite zer strange happeninks last night vherein I grew hands und held zem vizz somevun I have never met. If zhere ist ein Egg, I hope zer IVs vill be perfect for vhatever Hidden Power zer offsprink ends up usink. Und Gabrielle? A Very Potter Sequel ist on zer cards for vhen I am gettink home!
Field Commander Lola McCandless: Well, so far I've been putting stuff to good use, just surviving and working things out as best I can. I set up a watch pattern with Androia, who is... really, really dead now, thanks to the local outbreak of poisoning that happened during the event, but I haven't been able to track him down and blow him up. No kills so far. Saving things for the inevitable bloody showdown.
Algernon, 7th Earl Wymbourne: My efforts to appease the spirit of the Holodeck have alas been in vain, leaving me rather more sleep-deprived than I had hoped. This has led me to sustain gashes on my hands while hunting for berries and, well, my request for a steady source of water with which to scry the movements of my opponents was met in a rather less pleasant fashion than expected. One has to wonder if this is the right course of action... but then, what other course do I have? A lingering death, perhaps... or a swift one, spurred on by the Holodeck's seeming-endless depths of spite. One thing's for certain, though; I will seek out any former residents of the so-called "grimdark" canons for perspective on this matter. Their stoicism in the face of such unrelenting hate has much to teach me, and will no doubt be a comfort in my future career as a Special Response Officer.
Selene shared out fishing gear with Wobbles and was then seen chatting to Jesse. You okay with the three of them being a group on Day 1?
hS
I just wonder how well Selene's going to put up with a happy, smiley clown. One hopes well; it'd be nice to have some of our characters actually get on for a change. =]
