Lugubrious

The Crucible - Winner Take All

@The Wild West, @Lmpkio, I'd appreciate both of you posting in the near future.

@RoughDragon1, I know that you've been allotted a hiatus, but you did say you'd wrap up Saria's fight before going inactive. I'd like to see that happen, or at least an acknowledgment that plans have had to change.

@obliviousRoadie, I did not say so on the day of, but just to make sure you know, you're free to treat the fight with Garbage as though she's an NPC. I'll be looking forward to the end of the duel.

Project Crossover [SMASH ARENA - Only PXO members allowed]

Ready for action.

Project Crossover [Video Game Crossover RP]

@DracoLunaris@Lugubrious@Zarkun@Lmpkio

So... anyone with characters in the immediate area feel like working together on this (those who reasonably can, that is)? I was planning on introducing B-K by having them play at the reception just before the theft takes place, but from there, I'm open to suggestions.

(Mentions are based on hypothetical character proximity.)

@Etherean Fire

Slayer's in decent proximity, but he's not fast, and will not hesitate to say so.

Project Crossover [Video Game Crossover RP]

Slayer
Level 3
Day 2
Location: Tetris Castle Grounds
@DracoLunaris
Experience: |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| (27/30)

Naija's apology evoked a subtle expression of gladness from her conversational partner. While Slayer's methods of nudging younger generations into embracing proper manners most often fell short, this unusual individual seemed to catch on to what he'd been hinting at. She was not, the vampire was gratified to understand, dense in the way so many would-be heroes were. Too often he'd found that righteousness became a platform on which to elevate oneself, and not an elusive, all-abiding goal that anyone professing to be noble of intention should work toward. Now, however, he and Naija hovered eye-to-eye, and he listened with muted astonishment as she admitted to never having met a gentleman before. What misfortune! He could sympathize with her feeling of being overwhelmed by all this newness, however. Forget monsters and mayhem: sudden change was what harangued the soul most critically, especially for an old soul like his. With one elbow perched upon the armrest of his cape-chair, and its fist rested against his cheek, he absorbed her story.

In particular, the description of her abilities, unrequested but helpfully offered nonetheless, caught his attention. She spoke of all these forms in a casual manner, as if they were her innate forms, but until now she hadn't shown off any of them. Slayer perceived that she -and by extension all the heroes- must be under the influence of some sort of limitation in the same manner he'd believed only himself to be. Ever since his fond farewell to Sharon and the abrupt teleportation from the world he'd left behind, he'd felt a sort of cloud lingering in the back of his mind. It didn't interfere with his mental faculties as far as he could tell, but when he thought of several of his pugilistic techniques, their performance seemed somehow beyond his grasp. It was a puzzling and perturbing problem, given his worryingly decreased durability, but not one a dandy should obsess over. Slayer did withdraw from his inner musings enough to chuckle when Naija mentioned flying. ”Not so much, I'm afraid. My mantle is useful, to be sure, but this shape is so slow and fickle that it's of no use in combat, save to spare me the effort of crouching.”

His lighthearted tone wavered ever so slightly when his acquaintance asked why he didn't consider himself a hero, for he felt that it might warrant a serious response. Then again, it wasn't a terribly serious matter. If it was, he would have minded sharing it with a stranger. ”My position is somewhat difficult to articulate. I suppose that I am an entity outside of my world; its trials and tribulations do not concern me. Even as the real heroes went about their business trying to resolve its ills and improve things for themselves and normal people, I barely lifted a finger. I did enjoy giving guidance to the heroes when they needed it, helping them out of tough spots and invigorating their resolve when it was shaken. All in all, I suppose my role would be more befitting of a connoisseur—looking around and taking in what life has to offer, but not involving myself in conflicts. I am an old man, after all, in a young man's world. It wasn't my world to change.”

There! Sometimes Slayer surprised himself with how elegantly he could wax poetic. Such a response surely satisfied Naija's curiosity, and with any luck she would not feel the need to inquire why his world's events didn't concern him. If she asked, of course, he could lie, but untruths besmirched a gentleman's lips. To change the subject, he glanced around for material, but nothing much had changed since his last scan.

Project Crossover [Video Game Crossover RP]

I am changing buildings and the one I am moving into is brand new. Unfortunately, because it is brand new it doesn't have...I am not an engineer but a device that pushes out internet service so it is a black hole. I plan to move my router over so hopefully that will get a signal out there for my phone and internet to work lol. It's bad because no one will be able to call me for shit. Any who, I will hopefully get it fixed tomorrow. If not, well, as I said, everyone has until their Friday. Worst case scenario, I'll tether outside my building.

@Holy Soldier

No problem. Thanks for letting us know.

The Crucible - Winner Take All

@Lugubrious what if she comes back at some point after you demote garbage though?

@obliviousRoadie

Well, even before I instituted the posting requirement, I think I was pretty clear about the importance of presence. Cyan will have been gone for over three weeks without any kind of acknowledgment, excuse, or whatever. People have been kicked from RPs for far less. If she returns and is still interested, she'll have to deal with the consequences of your next post, and won't be able to win the Crucible.

Project Crossover [Video Game Crossover RP]

@Holy Soldier, I would like to enter Slayer in the arena.

Project Crossover [Video Game Crossover RP]

Slayer
Level 3
Day 2
Location: Tetris Castle Grounds
@DracoLunaris @Guardian Angel Haruki @Nerevarine @Zarkun
Experience: |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| (27/30)

The atmosphere of malaise hung over the assembly after Peach's departure, and in her wake, silence took root and began to grow. Having said all they could, the speakers retired to their seats in the audience. In the quiet, respectful moments that followed, some of the attendees began to drift away. By all accounts, the ceremony had finished; when the guests could well up no more tears, think up no more words, and spare no more minutes to the heavy affair, they went their separate ways. After a short while, Slayer concluded that he'd been present long enough. It did not do to dwell on death, after all.

As he stood, he regarded the table of memories one last time whilst hoping that Mario's soul hastened off to a better place faster still than the funeral attendees returned to their own affairs, and spotted an unfamiliar child headed there. Garbed in outlandish, garish clothes that seemed fit to make a mockery of this dignified assembly, the kid drew Slayer's ire, but he watched a moment longer before passing judgment. Before his eyes, the child placed a bouquet of flowers and a bag of what appeared to be mushrooms among the other gifts and memoirs. For a moment the vampire was nonchalant, but he broke down into a smile as gave a slight shake his head toward the ground. ”An immature mind but a good heart. I wonder...such a colorful character must surely be a hero, perhaps called in to replace those who abandoned us in the twilight forest, but at such a young age...” While Slayer ruminated, he seemingly did not notice Naija approaching him until she gave away her presence with a light cough.

He turned halfway, looking over his shoulder to see who it was. Though once again sporting an altered appearance, the gentleman recognized Naija from her introduction the previous day. She did not, it appeared, have much of an attachment to the idea of a consistent appearance. Then again, she had given off the impression of an adaptable heroine, willing to make a sacrifice and alter her body to better do what's right. In a roundabout way, Slayer could appreciate that brand of naivety. He, meanwhile, would not be so eager to experiment with changing himself using elements from other worlds. After witnessing Odin's monstrous transformation, playing riskily with the living, mutagenic corruption known as the Mugen Virus seemed downright foolish. If it worked for Naija, however, he wouldn't hesitate to applaud her courage, so long as she remained free of evil's taint. These thoughts passed as quickly as an autumn breeze, and Slayer pivoted around the rest of the way to face her.

As she spoke, he strode away from the funeral site at a leisurely pace, not just for his own sake. Taking flight at a funeral stood out to him as a somewhat selfish act—hogging the spotlight. If Naija didn't understand she was being rude, he couldn't blame her, but all the same he attempted to steer her in a different direction. Once at a suitable distance, he fell backward into a sitting position, and before he could hit the ground his cape morphed into a winged chair that carried him upward so that he might converse with Naija eye-to-eye. ”Not at all, I could tell it was you. I hope you don't mind me rising to the occasion? I happen to have a touch of distaste for being looked down upon.” He produced his pipe and puffed it once, a knowing look in his eyes and an easy smile on his face. ”I recall you from the meeting yesterday, with your interesting philosophies about heroism. I kept quiet at the time, but for the record I do believe it hinges upon what actions one takes, not one's own views or others' views. It does bemuse me as to why I was chosen for this ordeal, and not the hero of my 'world'. I can only assume it was because of how much free time I had!” Slayer chuckled through his nose. ”In any case, I assure you I did not feel awkward or misplaced in the silence. A consummate gentleman, as I'm sure you're aware, takes any situation in stride, faultless in his bearing. Enough about me, however. Perhaps you'd like to tell me more of yourself? If I'm going to be gallivanting around for much longer, I should like to become better acquainted with my allies.”

His focus slipped off the fishwoman and onto a bizarre bipedal red creature that had taken up a position not too far away. He also identified the technological soldier who'd hung around the backlines in the last battle, who Slayer now knew to be named Varrock. The man sauntered up to the animal, who did not appear to be any trouble, and demanded not just who but what it was. The audacity of the inquiry provoked a wry hmph from the vampire, and he motioned with his head as he remarked to Naija, ”It would appear that our reluctant compatriot is taking the chance to mingle as well, though he seems to have opted for a rather abrasive approach. Perhaps he hasn't quite grasped that anyone around here is an ally, and should be treated appropriately?”

The Crucible - Winner Take All

With the voting done, it would seem that there's been a tie...but no! It was a deception!

@Ebonsquire, as much as your readership is appreciated, I would be happy if you refrained from liking combat posts as it could easily lead to a misinterpretation of the results.

Since he, not being a member, doesn't count when it comes to voting, the final tally is 5 for oblivious and 4 for Cyan, making oblivious the winner!

If Cyan does not show up by Wednesday, oblivious, I will demote Garbage to NPC status. If that happens, your round 3 post (the one detailing the end of the fight with Angry Dragon as the winner) will be uncontested, allowing you to claim victory.

The Crucible - Winner Take All

About half a day remains to vote for either oblivious or Cyan. Only six have done so thus far. Be sure to weigh in!

It's also worth noting, worryingly perhaps, that Cyan hasn't even been online in 19 days. That might bode ill for the future, but we'll wait a little longer.