[b]Master Chef[/b]
~[@Restalaan] (YNG)~

The cooking contest was located in an empty corner of the port, now refurbished to accommodate the competition. For the audience, there were rows of simple wood chairs but they were not all occupied. For the contestants, there were four tables lined in a single row filled with culinary materials from pans to spatulas and various ingredients including vegetables, a few kinds of meat and all sorts of condiments like salt and spices.

You take your place in one of the tables. An apron was provided for you to wear and after putting it on, a familiar face greets you. "[color=navajowhite]Hey, blondie.[/color]" Nero got into another table and put on his contest apron. "[color=navajowhite]Betcha didn't expect me here, did you? I thought I should put my cooking skills to the test. Although, considering that you and the spider beside me are the competition, I doubt I'll be tested that hard.[/color]"

The table beside Nero's was occupied by the Ushi-Oni. She was the typical individual of her species, she was large and ferocious-looking. Her lower, spider-half was covered in thick black hair with each leg ending in a sharp claw. Her upper, human-half had dark green skin tattooed with markings. A pair of horns was on her head, its base covered by black, unkempt hair. Her only piece of clothing was the free apron of the contest but you assume she had fur or hairs covering her modesty.

She lazily stared at Nero and he was too busy preparing to notice. Perhaps he might be in trouble later?

At the farthest table from you was the Kikimora contestant. She was an ordinary-looking Kikimora with her maid outfit and tufts of brown feathers coming out of her sleeves. Behind her was her long, fluffy feathered tail and her scaled feet were barely visible under her long dress. Fair-skinned, she wore a disarming smile on her face as she patiently waited for the contest to begin.

"[color=navajowhite]Got anything to say before I blow you out of here, blondie?[/color]"

[hr]
[b]A Test Of Strength[/b]
~[@Restalaan] (DIT)~

"[color=fff79a]Step right up! Step right up![/color]" The knight said to the crowd gathered around the high striker. "[color=fff79a]Think you're tough? Then step right up and test your strength against Ian North's Test Your Miiiiight![/color]"

All this was happening in a small plaza in the middle of Boreal Port. The onlookers were both men and monster, drawn to the attraction to see who was strong enough to ring the bell and because the knight called Ian North was yelling really loudly. You push your way past the crowd to participate in the contest.

When you made your way to the fore, the other contestants were already waiting. There was the Minotaur you saw earlier, a bull monster whose strength was the stuff of stories. There was also the Jinko, a tiger-like monster from the east and also said to be mighty. Then there's the Kikimora who... aren't really known for their raw brawn. "[color=fff79a]We already have ourselves three contestants! Three warriors of incredible powerrrrrr! Who else wants to join?[/color]"

Spotting you, Ian quickly pointed a finger. "[color=fff79a]You there, little boy! You look like you can knock a few heads. You wanna try your strength in this here game?[/color]"

[hr]
[b]Bullesye[/b]
~[@13org] (FYR)~

The competition was located just outside of Boreal Port, in a clear grassy field. In a way, this reminded you of a previous quest where you had to retrieve an arrow for the client.

A small audience was present but there were only a few chairs, leading to some simply sitting on the grass and lots of complaining. A tap on the shoulder gets your attention and once you turn around, it was none other than Sir Reed. "[color=steelblue]Hail, Viera. I, too, would like to test my skills with the bow. As a knight, it would be beneficial for me to learn all sorts of weapons.[/color]"

A familiar figure hopped out from behind Sir Reed. "[color=royalblue]Heya, Freyr! Don't mind me, I'm just here to watch.[/color]" Haley glanced at the contest, particularly the other contestants. "[color=royalblue]Whew! You've got a fight ahead of you two. Those two could shoot arrows at things they can't even see.[/color]" You do not know if she was exaggerating but if she was not, that would truly make the competition fierce.

The Elf contestant was a gorgeous woman wearing a green ornate dress styled like the leaves of a verdant forest. With hair of green and fair skin, she peacefully sat on the grass polishing her bow to perfection. You could tell that her bow was a personal one. From a distance though, it appeared a simple white bow but it was more than that. It was crafted well and had intricate markings that made it hers.

The Cupid one was a typical of their race. Save for her brown skin, everything else about her was pink. Pink hair, pink hat, pinkish white gloves and knee-high boots, pink wings and pink clothes. Clothes that covered so little, she might as well be wearing only her underwear were it not for the belts and accessories she also wore. Her bow, too, was pink and decorated with hearts, the symbol of her patron goddess.

There was also that Kikimora. An ordinary, fair-skinned Kikimora with her maid outfit and tufts of brown feathers coming out of her sleeves. Behind her was her long, fluffy feathered tail and her scaled feet were barely visible under her long dress. She wore a disarming smile on her face as she patiently waited for the contest to begin, holding her bow and doing nothing else.

"[color=steelblue]Sir Freyr, what do you think the chances are of that Cupid shooting either of us instead of the target?[/color]" Sir Reed asked of you as he inspected his bow. You doubt the question is serious. But could it?

[hr]
[b]Quiz Bee[/b]
~[@ShwiggityShwah]~

The trivia contest took place indoors inside an empty, unused hall within the port repurposed for the competition. It was not spacious but it had enough room to host the event.

Four podiums for the contestants were arranged in a line at the other side of the hall with rows and rows of chairs for the audience in front of them. The chairs were almost completely empty which was disappointing but perhaps the crowd just haven't arrived yet?

The other contestants were already present. The Owl Mage and the Lich were in a conversation. The Owl Mage looked like any other of her kind, thick plumages of brown to light brown feathers covered her body yet she still wore clothes underneath. You were unsure where the feathers began and where they ended. Meanwhile, the deathly-skinned Lich wore a long hooded cloak that covered her entire body save for her face and her arms that clutched a grimoire.

The Kikimora, however, appeared ordinary with her maid outfit and tufts of brown feathers coming out of her sleeves. Behind her was her long, fluffy feathered tail and her scaled feet were barely visible under her long dress. She wore a disarming smile on her face as she stood behind her podium and waited patiently for the contest to begin.

[quote=Ozzy Skyway][color=gold]"Hello! How's the festival going for you guys?"[/color][/quote]

Your greeting was immediately noticed and the Owl Mage responded in kind. "[color=tan]It has went well so far. Although, we have been waiting here for--[/color]" She stopped as she and the Lich stared at you for a few uncomfortable moments. They probably realized you were no ordinary monster.

They then approached, no, lunged at you. They immediately stuck their faces very close to yours as they tried to discern the anomaly that stood before them. "[color=tan]How is this possible? You are a Harpy yet...[/color]" The Owl Mage trailed off and continued to stare hard at you.

"[color=slateblue]Is this some sort of trick? Are you using some sort of illusion magic?[/color]" The Lich questioned you. "[color=slateblue]I do not detect any cast spells on you, though. Is this part of the contest? Are we to try to decipher what you are? If so, then this truly is a test of my intellect.[/color]"

"[color=tan]Tell us, little Harpy. Who are you?[/color]"

[hr]
~[@13org] (ADA), [@Rezod92]~

"[color=f26522]None of the contests really interest me.[/color]" Bart sighed. "[color=f26522]I think I'll just advertise our Guild to all the people here. Try to attract clients and attention. You guys are free to join me if you'd like.[/color]" With that, Bart left the group.

The others have left as well earlier, leaving only [u]Ada[/u], [u]Kira[/u] and Talia. "[color=lavender]Mmm, I have no interest in any of the contests either and I don't... wanna hang around Bart right now. You two are going to the cooking contest, right?[/color]" She said to [u]Kira[/u] and [u]Ada[/u]. "[color=lavender]Maybe I'll just come with you two.[/color]"

"[color=lavender]Maybe we can get another balloon on the way.[/color]" Talia said, patting [u]Ada[/u] on the head. "[color=lavender]Say, Kira. Have you any idea what species of monster she is?[/color]"

[hr]
~[@Stern Algorithm]~

Neil and the [u]Altissima sisters[/u] worked hard, fetching messages and materials to and fro. All to keep the festival going smoothly. Neil mostly just carried and pushed the Liliraune all over while the latter were the ones holding the stuff. It was all exhausting and fortunately, the trio were given a break for several minutes.

Plopping down on a bench in a plaza, Neil made a long sigh to catch his breath. "Damn, that was harder than I thought." He remarked. "Had I known that I had to do this much running, I would've joined Ozzy in his exercises with Yang." Wiping some sweat off his brow, Neil continued. "But you know what they say, the things that are worth having don't come easy."

After several moments of panting, Neil glanced over to [u]Vivian[/u]. "Hey uhh, I know that you wanted to come to join the cooking contest so uhh, I'll try to make it up to you, alright? Ehehe, sorry." Despite the words, Neil did not seem to know exactly how to do that. But that was a matter for later, Neil then looked at [u]Sylvia[/u]. 

"So why did you really want to come with me?" Neil asked the question of questions. "I doubt you have any questions for Riñas. Err, do you?"