TDM 007

[etrayamods]

content warnings for this TDM include: violence, potential death, body horror, physical transformation, loss of senses, loss of autonomy ⏵ arrival⏴ Arrival does not happen as Aurora usually plans for it. New characters are introduced to the AI, then informed of a mission that they are required to participate in before they can return to their home base of Etraya. A world called Aphaia is falling apart, and while there is nothing they can do to resolve this broken world, they can participate in the Gamerunner's Stratagem. Their mission is simple: step through the glowing purple portal that Aurora creates once they've had time to listen to her, and survive until a similar portal reopens in front of them, allowing them to return to Etraya. The Gamerunner's Stratagem is something they have been working on building for quite some time. She informs all newcomers that they will not be present on this world that long: their exit will appear to them exactly when it's meant to, allowing them to meet the others who have been recruited to save their worlds. She provides each and every arrival with an earpiece, allowing them to communicate with the other Etrayans. Aurora suggests taking a bag full of supplies along with them, which she will fill with a few generic items as well as any specific items they may need: synthetic blood for vampires, protein bars for those who may burn through calories faster, medication for anyone who requires it. ⏵ aphaia ⏴ Aphaia is a neon-lit, chaotic planet. Cameras are everywhere, every action and inaction is judged by the 'audience'. Towering holograms advertise upcoming events while flashing leader boards track the most "popular" players. Contestants are thrown into challenges, many of which are games of skill, survival, and deception all to keep the viewers entertained. Not participating is an option! However, avoiding playing along and not putting on a show will quickly cause participants' score to go down, and scores that reach zero? Well. Unfortunately, there are only so many resources left on Aphaia. Their wildlife has died off, their planet is falling apart, and most others in this galaxy were either destroyed from the inside out, or warring planets trying to gain control of remaining resources destroyed them to avoid others getting involved. Their natural resources are depleted, and only those who manage to keep their scores up are given the luxury of having any supplies. As soon as one steps foot on Aphaia, as soon as they breathe, they intake nanotechnology which tracks their oxygen consumption, their food, everything they do or need. As soon as their scores reach zero? They disappear. There one moment, and completely gone the next. Their communicators go offline, and while everything they were carrying will be left behind, no one will be able to find them. They are simply--gone, erased from existence. This is a death and counts as a death as outlined in the game FAQ! Please keep this in mind. "Points" that go towards their total score will be assigned to contestants from the moment they drop down on planet. This will be visible using the HUD on their earpiece, and will be randomized at the beginning. For the sake of the TDM, we ask that no one be assigned Paragon initially, but you're free to use other ranks! The possible rankings are: 100: PARAGON 99-80: LUMINARY 79-70: CHAMPION 69-50: CONTENDER 49-30: UNDERLING 30-0: SHADE Ranks may change daily, or even hourly depending on the kind of situation one has found themselves in. Are they having a very public break up in which it comes out that they wronged their ex? They may go from a Champion to a Shade before they can even blink. Did they save a defenseless reporter from the big bad villain of the week? They may find themselves quickly elevated up to Luminary and given all the benefits that comes with being upper class. The world is their oyster, they only need to figure out how they'd like to utilize it! Aphaia is broken up into four districts. The Colosseum is a dynamic battle arena where combatants fight for entertainment, with shifting environments controlled by the audience. Victories earn points, while losses depend on performance. The Symposium is a lavish social hub for top contestants, where alliances and betrayals are made under the audience’s watchful eye. The Agora is the public center of Aphaia, where contestants engage with the audience through polls, interviews, and challenges to maintain popularity. It also houses the contestants in high-rise apartments. And Backalleys provide hidden spaces with intentional blind spots for secret dealings, though the Gamerunner is always aware of what happens there. ⏵ st★rlight soirée ⏴ Something special is happening in the Colosseum. Lights flicker as the arena shifts, rearranging itself into a grand, glittering ballroom - if a ballroom had stadium seating, paparazzi drones, and an ever-changing floor plan designed to disorient those within it. Silver chandeliers pulse with artificial starlight, their glow refracted through the crystalline floors. Music swells, but it sounds - unnatural. It thrums through your veins, setting your blood alight with the urge to dance. Why is the ballroom designed as if intentionally put together to throw off one's balance? Well, it's time for the Panopticon Prom, of course! The Panopticon Prom isn't just an adventure in dancing and impressing your most recent crush. It's a test of endurance, cunning, grace, and charm. The floor beneath your feet moves as if it has a mind of it's own, shifting to the beat like a living creature all of it's own. It tilts, undulates, even vanishing in sections to keep dancers on edge. After all, it's difficult to keep up one's pace if they're falling through a hole in the floor to the foam pit below. Drones zip through the air, catching every stumble, every misstep, and every attempt to throw off others on the dance floor. This is a competition, after all; and what fun is a dance battle without having the freedom to thwart someone else on their road to victory? The rules are simple: You must dance with a partner. This can be an ally, an enemy, or someone you intend on using as a stepping stone to victory. It matters not, as long as you have one hand (or limb) on them at all times. The longer you last, the better your chances. Endurance is the name of the game, meaning one must pace themselves on the dance floor. While epic twirls and impressive moves will garner more attention, it may also hurt your chances in the long run. You may sabotage others by throwing them off balance, but keep in mind: everything is televised, and it won't stay secret for long. The arena adapts to the chaos. Expect sudden obstacles, environmental shifts, and sudden changes in the music's tempo. Gravity may shift, walls may close in, but participants can't let that stop them - they must continue to dance, if they wish to win. The audience is watching. Who will make the final cut and become Prom King and Queen? Everyone is vying for the titles: it doesn't matter what rank you started at when you joined the Panopticon Prom. Whoever wins becomes a Paragon until their points drop. There aren't many opportunities to sail through the rankings, but this is a sure way to do it. As long as they can keep up. ⏵ casino royale ⏴ Out in the Agora, another popular quarterly event is being set up! The Casino Royale has been destroyed countless times, but it seems as if the Gamerunner just can't let it go - every time it gets knocked down, it gets rebuilt. There is one rule. One must take a turn at the revolving wheel just inside the door as their entry fee, and whatever the wheel lands on, they must maintain until they exit the building for the night. Sometimes, this is easier: an effect they have no control over and cannot undo even if they wanted to. Sometimes, this is more difficult: an assigned task they must complete. Failure to abide by the wheel once means receiving a penalty. Twice? Certain death if caught by any employee. The wheel's effects are as follows: 1 You must speak entirely in rhyme. 2 Your body has become unnaturally delicate. The smallest injury hurts like a fatal wound. 3 You must avoid stepping into any sources of light. Doing so causes massive burns to appear on any area of your skin where light has touched. 4 You have been transformed into an animal! You can still think as you had before, but you cannot speak or communicate easily. 5 You have been cursed with supernatural strength, but cannot control it. 6 Time doesn't flow normally for you anymore. Each mistake you make makes you visibly younger, slowly erasing your experiences, skills, or even memories. 7 You can no longer form your own words, but only repeat what others have said to you. 8 You cannot meet another person's gaze. 9 You can no longer turn around, physically or metaphorically. If you try to return where you came from, you'll find that the pathway no longer exists. 10 You are given a specific letter that you must avoid using out loud entirely. "A"? Better hope you know enough words without one. 11 Every time you speak, your words come true - but never in the way you intended. Trying to control this is futile; the monkey's paw curls with every new sentence. 12 Within the casino, you lose the ability to feel anything. No pain, no pleasure, no warmth, and no cold. At first it may feel like a blessing - until you realize you cannot feel hunger, or tell if you're injured. 13 Regardless of if you've drunken anything, you still act inebriated. The effect only gets worse the longer you stay. 14 No one can see you. You are invisible, even if you are still able to reach out and touch or converse with those around you. 15 Any special ability you have is gone. You are reduced down to what an average human being is capable of - regardless of if you are human. 16 Violent impulses become impossible to ignore. You are rage incarnate, and you will be heard. 17 Every time you make a decision - to walk into an area, to start a conversation, anything, a small thread pulls loose from your clothing or your skin. Keep making choices, and you may become entirely undone. 18 You may speak freely, but for every syllable you say, your ability to hear slowly fades. You may want to watch your word count - too many, and you may not be able to hear at all. 19 Perhaps you arrived with a friend, or beside a stranger. It matters not: whoever came in either just before or just after you, you feel a powerful urge to protect them to the point of aggression. 20 Love is in the air - at least it is for you. Every time you meet someone's gaze, you feel the need to try and make them fall in love with you, through whatever means necessary. The casino is alive with the hum of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the steady whirl of the roulette wheels. Golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over velvet-lined tables, where fortunes are made and lost with the flick of a wrist. But something feels. . . off. The dealers never blink. The cards never seem random. And the house always wins - always. Maybe it's just paranoia, or maybe this casino is something more than just a den of chance. Tonight, you're not here just to play; you're here on a mission. You've arrived dressed to kill, blending into the sea of bodies filling the casino's floors. But you're not here to win points or boost your social standing - you're here to win intel. Somewhere in this casino is a single flash drive containing information on just how Aphaia maintains their system. The only problem? The House knows someone is coming for it. After all, they're well-aware of the game: whoever retrieves the flash drive will obtain information on how to flip the script, to change the rules of the game to fit their wants and needs, rather than following the current Gamerunner. After all, this is the Gamerunner's Stratagem that Aurora has sent them out on! Many apply for 'employment' within the Casino Royale in hopes of getting insider information on where the flash drive is hidden and what it looks like. However, it seems that even the employees have no clue where it has been hidden. ⏵ NOTES ⏴ This is an extension of our Aphaia Mission! We have included enough information in this post that catching up to current in game logs isn't necessary to play with it, but you are welcome to use any part of the Aphaia setting in your prompts as you'd like. Current players are also welcome to bring the events from this TDM into their in-game threads. This mission can happen outside of time as needed! Incoming characters will find themselves introduced to Aphaia as they arrive. Current characters may find Aurora calling on them to visit Aphaia after the current mission for the Gamerunner's Stratagem. Characters already in game are welcome to post to the TDM, too! Please mark them as current characters in your header. Threads can be kept as game canon as long as both characters get into the game! Please direct all questions relating to this log to our mod queries comment! All other questions can be directed to our FAQ. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

mod queries.

[etrayamods]

[limiterrings]

Hi! Since violence isn't banned outside Symposium, what happens if you kill outside of it? Also, are the dealers whatever we imagine them to be since they're aliens so could they take up human appearances, and are they able to die?

Hope Summers (Marvel 616)

[futuremessiah]

arrival
[Hope listened to Aurora explain what was going on and all she could think was 'oh, this again'. It's not like her whole life hasn't been a survival challenge since birth.

Use your surroundings. That's a good one, Nathan, but a better one is to grab any readily available weapons you might find lying around.]

So, anyone know where a girl can find a few knives and a gun or two?

[Or maybe a mutant or two to borrow powers from?]

st★rlight soirée
[Anything can be a weapon. Anything can be used against your opponent in an instant, especially if they aren't expecting it.

True, but her dad never taught her how to fight in something like this (mainly because when were they ever going to stop long enough for her to have a school life, let alone a prom?). She really hopes (ha) her partner has some skills when it comes to dancing or can follow her lead as the floor suddenly tips beneath them.]

casino royale (13)
[Finally! A chance to use those skills Nathan's been teaching her forever. She's a survivor. She knows how to sneak around, to hide so that others don't see her. All she has to do is get a flash drive and get out of there.

Except for the entrance fee. Hope thinks nothing of it when she spins the wheel and lands on 13. She has no concept of lucky or unlucky numbers. She will by the time the night is over however.]

Arrival

[heartofthedream]

[ Jean had felt Hope the moment she appeared on Aphaia, and waited patiently enough for her engagement with Aurora in the reception room. She supposes she could have interrupted, but she's usually politer than that. She can be patient, and study the ceiling being torn between grateful to feel her alive again, and resigned to another one of their people dragged into these circumstances. Where the first round of them had been adults; now it was their younger generations appearing in waves.

She's still in the chair when Hope walks out, asking for weapons.
A thing that makes the corner of Jean's mouth twitch. ]

"Hello, Hope."

Barbara Gordon | *Current Character* | DC Comics

[her_own_rules]

⏵ st★rlight soirée ⏴

Barbara had wrinkled her nose at the notion of being forced into another fancy engagement (for a reason other than celebration for the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation). But it was a one-night fancy engagement competition with a big reward. Her years of ballet hard transitioned into her grace as Batgirl, but it could easily extend to this, too.

As could the points. Her standing.
Help others with the resources from it.

She's clawed her way up to Luminary,
but a skip straight to Paragon?

Hard to resist.


Which is how Barbara finds herself dressed to the nine's, and ready to dance (and do whatever else this challenge may entail, as she seriously doubt it will be 'just dancing'). Perhaps, you're here and would like to take a spin around the floor, too?

[ Maybe more later. Will match prose/brackets no problem. ]

[venatoris]

Over the years, Dean's grown into a big boy that can actually semi-handle himself in an environment like this. A decade ago he was sticking gum under sterling silver fountains, now he's nursing a drink and flashing charming smiles and winks, avoiding the dance floor despite knowing good and goddamn well have to step out at some point.

Which he does. Reluctantly.

As luck would have it though, he's better at this than he thinks (or maybe it's the drink giving him that liquid courage), and he's made it up to Luminary and stands in front of his new partner looking pretty sharp (if he does say so himself).

"Guess we're up."

Jonathan Crane | Batman Begins

[restingstitchface]

Arrival:

[Life in Gotham is a unique kind of game. You have to make the decision whether to travel on a bus or brave the walk home. You have to decide that morning whether to bring an umbrella to shield yourself from the rain. You must decide before you bump into people on the sidewalk whether they will take it personally.

Crane adjusts the position of his glasses to cover more of his eyes before looking at his fellow player, standing straight while attaching his earpiece. He begins tuning the colour of its display, lost inside a world of colour and choice. He laughs at something simple before turning his attention to the other.

He studies them with chilling blue eyes - sharp and intense in their curiosity - but softens his approach with a smile.]

Technology isn’t my strong suit, I’m afraid.

[Is he lying? That is a decision they will have to make.]

Aphaia:

[People inside the colosseum fight with strength and supernatural power. People like himself approach the symposium where they can fight with words and intellect. He finds himself mixing with an eclectic bunch of strangers: some entirely normal whilst others are unconditionally weird.

He stands outside the crowd: a stranger himself who is content to observe.

One person who meets his gaze across the room will see him lift his finger across his lips. A private joke, perhaps? Or simply a sign of recognition? Others might see him gesture towards a couch.]

Sit.

[Will they respond to his movements or directions without thinking? That, too, is a choice they will have to make.]

Starlight Soiree:

[Crane wanders into the ballroom, stopping once or twice to talk to anybody he comes across, his desire to be anywhere else physically evident. His hands are crossed across his stomach as he acknowledges people with a simple nod.

People always ask the same questions they can gossip about. Where does he work? What is his work? His answers are short and unrevealing, excusing his refusal to speak about his patients with claims of confidentiality.

Thankfully, he finds himself with less people with whom to speak. But unfortunately the dance begins anew. He walks among the crowd and speaks up beside somebody, to whom he offers his hand.]

This may feel like forever but I promise I’m not that bad.

[When you are playing a very dangerous game, sometimes you have no choice but to play.]

Casino Royale:

[Crane turns away from the roulette table after an expected loss…

And immediately collides with the nearest person.

A hand rests upon their shoulder. A voice by their side says excuse me. A cold pair of eyes studies their behaviour. But there is no evidence of a person for anything.]

/slams in here with starlight soiree

[ingestion]

( while heather was still reeling from the last mission and full of anger, nervousness, and a general sense of uncertainty, she knew she had to push herself to get out there. to wallow in the darkness of her mind didn't suit her, nor was it something she wanted to do. yet each time aurora or this place setup something new for them to do, it was like a pendulum swing—

one moment violence and despair and the next, some bullshit like this. it wasn't the first party she went to here, but this one was far too fancy for her. it grated against her less posh habits, but she still went along nonetheless.

so when this new person extended their hand to her, she went along with it for the sake of being polite but....

her sassy side always found a way of coming through. )

I might be a little bad, so promise not to get too angry if I step on your toes.

Blaze the Cat | Sonic (IDW) | new!

[fireboost]

1) STARLIGHT SOIRÉE

[ a popularity contest is something that already puts her at quite a disadvantage—it's blaze's first thought upon entering this place. if she wants to save her world, she understands that this is a test that she must first pass, but it hardly gives her comfort to know that this would be her first trial.

she has... admittedly never been great at interacting with others.

that's why she remains outside of the colosseum rather than entering it, the bizarre music reaching another crescendo—silence—continuation. of course she knows how to dance, but blaze was hoping for... perhaps something a little different from this. she spends some time with crossed arms, observing the building, before turning around with a sigh—only to collide into someone in her absentmindedness. ]

2) CASINO ROYALE

[ rather than take her chances dancing the night away, it's the casino that draws blaze's attention. perhaps she's drawn to it by the memory of something familiar, of her friends at her side, and a role that she has to play—but it isn't a thought that she can linger on for long. while she may have a role to act out, this place is far from the festive feeling that would have been so familiar to her.

the person ahead of her in line spins the wheel, and after a short pause, blaze speaks up: ]

Excuse me, I believe it's my turn.

[ attempting to maintain some semblance of politeness, sure, but still blunt, and clearly impatient. it can't be helped though, if there's a price she must pay for entry, she would rather get it over with swiftly. ]

3) WILDCARD

[ feel free to hit me with another prompt too! if you want to check in first, my pms are always open!! ]

wildcard

[limiterrings]

[ an unknown place only has so many familiar people, and the one that he's noticed is someone he doesn't have the strongest relationship with. he's heard of her, but aside from that, this is someone that the blue hedgehog associates with. if she's here then that means something else is here with her.

he's heard enough details of what she's capable of, a princess from a far off land who can use her sol emeralds to go in and out of dimensions with ease. while that would work for him, it's simply not what he's after, instead, it's the flash of one of her emeralds that piques his interest. upon appearing in this strange, new land, shadow wasn't lucky enough to have a chaos emerald by his side.

however, he could deal with a substitute. rather than ask for it like someone normal, he decides that taking it would make this quicker, as well as skip conversation that they don't need to make. it should be obvious that they have their own plans. unfortunately, something tells him not to. it would be an issue to have her chase him around the casino, and if that ruins their chances at learning what's going on here then he'll only have himself to blame.

dropping down from here he was, blaze can hear the sound of shoes hitting the surface. ]

Give it to me.

[ easy enough. ]

sanji | one piece | new character

[sanji]

୭ st★rlight soirée

[ a colosseum doesn't seem like much of a challenge, even if sanji typically doesn't have much interest in trying to prove himself in terms of strength, at least not in ways that certain empty-brained swordsmen would try to boast. there's plenty of confidence that his kicks could get him soaring to the top of a competition and there's certainly appeal to how quickly it might be able to boost his known reputation considering his own fresh arrival. but when he steps inside, he isn't met with grunting men carrying weapons or trials of combat, as instead, the glittering display of a grand ballroom comes into his sights.

instantly, his eyes spark with a newfound interest, the glint of the glittering surroundings reflecting in his eyes as one could almost swear they see actual heart shapes shoot out from them like birds in a cuckoo clock. ]

Ohhhhh! Hellooo, beau-tee-ful ladies!

[ really, his attention only swoops to one thing, thrilled enough about seeing women in ballgowns and flashy dresses that he doesn't even think twice about what it means to enter the dance competion: ]

(1) [ if he's lucky, he'll find that his partner is exactly who he hopes it to be — a woman — which will have him descending down on a knee, hand pressed to his chest as he exaggeratedly holds out the other, similar in pose to some dramatic declaration of love. ]

Fear not, mademoiselle! I will make sure the light reflects perfectly on your form as your dear Sanji-kun supports you in being an elegant, shining star~ ♡

(2) [ but most often than not, luck isn't exactly tilted his way when he particularly wants it to be, which is likely why he finds his partner not to his preference. lit cigarette slumping downwards from where it hangs between his lips, he frowns as an excessively curled eyebrow knits inward. ]

Oi, oi, what's this? I didn't sign up to do this with a man.

୭ casino royale

[ strategically searching around for a flash drive seems simple enough (not that he has any clue what a flash drive is, but he's sure he could improvise in figuring that out at some point). initially, he's plenty skeptical that it has to be completed while a certain rule from the spun wheel is in place, but when it seems to land on 14, an excited thrill soars through his entire body — his now very invisible body.

his lifelong dream! the power of invisibility! finally achievable here! sanji nearly abandons the task of the flash drive entirely as he's consumed with a race of ideas of how he could make use of this, giggling privately to himself while he steps further into the casino and ...

someone bumps into him, a look of confusion caught on their face as they peer around at nothing before moving on. sanji, tipped forward in the minor collision, regains his balance and straightens his unseen tie with a slight shake of his head. well, that's bound to happen once or twice. not a problem. now if he could just — another bump. except this time, before he could balance himself properly on his feet, in comes another, and another, as the setting of a very crowded casino proves its great inconvenince for someone who can't be seen.

knocked down to the ground, a few stray footsteps catch on his fallen body, nearly tripping in the process before moving on, one kicking him square in the head.

sanji inhales his cigarette nearly to the butt before this invisible man shouts loudly, ]

OI, WILL YOU ALL QUIT IT ALREADY!?

୭ wild card

( open to doing other prompts or messing around with other wheel ideas! as a warning, sanji has a very loud (and often annoying) obsession with women, where he might lay on the flattery a little thick to start, but i make it a point to cool it down over the course of the interaction. also bear in mind that this is just an aspect of his personality and there won't be actual romantic intentions behind it! for women under 18, sanji will still be highly respectful but there won't be any alluded physical attraction. his canon point is generally considered to be post the whole cake island arc. )

st★rlight soirée :)

[keepitgoing]

[Peter looks left, looks right. Is he with the right person, actually? Sanji seems pretty convinced of it, but all this poor guy gets is an awkward 18-year-old with a penchant for looking completely out of his depth when a Spider-Man suit isn't involved.]

... Aw, c'mon.

I know I'm not that great at dancing, but I think I could get the hang of it.

[DOESN'T MATTER, YOU'RE BOTH MATCHED. Peter doesn't even get his spidey sense set off when an uninvolved observer shoves him from the back; likewise, Sanji gets a playful push, too, so that they're nearly knocked into each other. The orders are pretty wordlessly told: shut up and get to it.

Peter chuckles weakly as the music starts up.]

james sunderland — silent hill 2

[hurtling]

— starlight soiree

( this world was strange and different to what he had known and seen, time and time again. the monsters that loomed above and around him in silent hill had become a comfort of sorts because while he was still terrified of them, they were a familiar sight to him. he had learned how to dodge them and stamp the life out of them, their far too human like screams echoing as he watched them writhe under his foot or his weapon of choice.

yet here there was nothing familiar, and yet the way some people looked at him as he passed through, it almost felt as if he were familiar. there were expectations put on him immediately that made his stomach churn and his head feel light— this place wanted him to fight and prove himself worthy, his world worthy of being saved and yet how could he? when everything felt so strange and he felt out of place. it was only when he was drawn into the colosseum and saw the dancing going on that he felt of all things that had happened to him and was expected of him, this was normal. at least he thought. )

Oh? A dance?

( immediately upon walking he was stopped by whoever happened to be near, a hand beckoning him like the devil tempting him into something sinful. only he didn't know the rules of this game and just how much he'd have to endure. )

You'll have to forgive me....ah I uh....it's been a while.

— casino royale

( self-preservation was never james' strong suit even with time and while he had all intents to keep his head down and not bring more trouble to himself than necessary, he found himself roped into taking a game of chance.

only there were no winners, only different degrees of losers and he was the one who happened to land on 8. the gift of gaze aversion, and while he normally found that easy enough to do, there was a vast difference in being forced to do it than doing it because he was reserved.

now outside in agora, with his head down towards the ground, he was finding it difficult to keep his eyes away. it felt like everyone was staring at him, the gaze burning through his skin and mind.

finally it was when he accidentally bumped into someone, that he actually covered his eyes with his hand. )

Sorry I uh....didn't mean to bump into you. You alright? Actually do you think you could answer a few questions for me?

— wildcard

( info | permissions/opt out. this james is new to the game and has no memories/recollection of past events but please, I'm begging, come at him with complaints, call outs, and general disgruntled attitudes. we're here for closure ♥ hit me with any prompt or if you'd like a closed starter, dm me. )

casino royale

[limiterrings]

You bumped into me, you should be doing what I want.

[ who made the mistake, not him, and with the other so willing to acknowledge that it was him then shadow will follow suit. it's always these damn humans who can't even watch where they're going. crimson eyes look over who's speaking to him before glancing off to the side, it's not anyone important from the looks of him. he doesn't even wear the attire that a worker would. this makes him just another hurdle in an already foreign place that he doesn't recognize. ]

Move your hand out of the way and don't make the same mistake again.

[ the irritation in his voice is there, but due to the loud talking and music, it's probably easily missed. either way, he doesn't seem to happy about this. ]

Claudia Wolf | Silent Hill 3

[devota]

Arrival
[To put things simply, Claudia does not understand how she can be here. Being a vessel for God’s birth means leaving behind no trace of a body by necessity. Her actions meant that she wouldn’t even be granted a seat in Paradise, but it needed to happen for the sake of the world. She has no idea what happened afterwards.

She also has no idea what to make of the current situation. A mission? Home base?

She’d made peace with oblivion. What is she to think of all of this?]

What’s going on?

[It’s said out loud to herself, instead of to anyone who might be passing by.]


Casino Royal (17)
[She’s never stepped foot inside of a casino. Claudia has barely had a reason to step outside of Silent Hill unless absolutely necessary. So she has no idea what to make of the location, or to think about what might or might not be something ordinary for a casino. So spinning a wheel before she’s allowed entrance?

Sure, that might as well be a reasonable thing to ask for. Though, she supposes, non-believers tend to ask for money first and foremost. But there might be some sort of price to pay.]

Am I really meant to be here?

[Again, it’s not a question asked to anyone in particular, and she becomes transfixed by what looks to be a loose thread sticking out of the back of her hand. Like it’s a stitch she’s forgotten about.]

How curious.


Wildcard
[For anything else!]

arrival/wildcard blend — cw: violence, threats, death mentions

[ingestion]

( the fighting, the forced pressure to be perfect and cautious with her words, and the never ending barrage of romantic accusations thrown her way left heather in a state of anxiety and despair. she had avoided the people she knew because she could not comfort them or provide them any sense of guidance when she had felt so lost.

but this? in her aimless wandering? she wasn't expecting this. )

You....no....Claudia?

( for all the rage she had and was worthy of having, heather had been for the most part swallowing it down and reminding herself that she was brought to this world to feel joy and not despair. yet seeing this woman before her, brought back all the painful memories she had to endure because of the order and how claudia of all people was responsible for the demise of her beloved father.

she hadn't told many about her predicament, but the few who knew of claudia would agree—

heather was well within her right to do this. )

You fucking.....you fucking bitch.

( she had a gun given to her by harold, and while the temptation to use it and end this wretch's miserable life was high, she opted for a good and old reliable slap to the face. )

You....how could you? How fucking dare you give birth to that thing?

shadow the hedgehog | sonic idw | new character

[limiterrings]

a) well then, it'll be a date to die for.
location: colosseum

[ initially, shadow had no reason to do anything here. the idea of indulging in frivolous games were for children, someone like him has business to attend to. despite his efforts of trying to leave, one of the hosts stands in shadow's way, insisting that he needs to walk the other way since he's one of the many participants.

with a growl, the hedgehog looks off to the side as the host offers him a piece of paper with his opponent's face. ]

I'm not here to be used for your amusement.

[ without a care, shadow smacks it out of the alien's hand, causing the paper to flutter off to another person's feet. they might recognize their own face seeing as they have also been unwillingly (or maybe willingly!) chosen for the royale. ]

b) i'm going to destroy this damn planet.
location: backalley

[ the backalley is more his speed, the less people the better because that means some here are worthy enough to have a conversation with. there's been small talk about trade of weaponry, blackmail, and even information that could help him moving forward. that's why he's here, dressed in a black cloak to hide his appearance and protect his own privacy. the more mystery the better, it gives the hider an advantage from any prying eyes or whoever may try to listen in.

it was all planned: written on a wall looking for information, and in return, they'll be given a great asset if the information met the searcher's expectations. the code being "chaos" if anyone was interested, and coordinates listed. now is the waiting game, arms crossed and his head tilted down to listen to his surroundings of the alley. he hears a few voices here and there, some light taps of movement with someone trying not to draw attention to themselves.

the sound of footsteps come heavier alerting shadow that someone has come. his ears twitch under the hood before they stop, and with his arms crossed, he turns in the direction of the individual. ]

Don't waste my time, say what you have to say.

c) where's that damn singular flash drive!
location: casino

[ he doesn't care much for the casino, the bright lights and the loud sounds are the most unappealing, but the risk of what's here speaks to him more. back and forth between the participants, they speak about some flash drive, and while the technicalities of this world doesn't mean much to him. he knows the more information the better, sometimes he'll get it from others, or he needs to do it alone.

the only misfortune that's fallen upon is when he spun the curse wheel: every time you speak, your words come true. whether that's true or not, shadow scoffs at the aspect and continues moving forward. he's a hog of little words anyway, there's not much he has to say, however the issue that he's having now is the location he needs to get into within the casino. it reads that only two people — partners — can only enter this section, and he's unable to ride solo.

as irritating as it is, he figures that it should be easy to use someone around here, and once he spots someone is when shadow clicks his tongue then grimaces. they'll do. rather than do this the legal way... he waits for an unsuspecting dealer to walk past him where he's hidden himself by a corner and in a blink of an eye disappearing until appearing behind them to swipe his foot at the back of their head. it's with heavy impact (and an audible crack) that the creature collapses to the floor, and shadow pulls them into a closet off at the side. it doesn't take long for him to retrieve the clothes off the alien, holding them in hand that has a bit of blood here and there, but not a big deal.

it's when he comes out from the closet with the clothes in tow that he walks up to the person he saw before, holding out the attire. it's as close as he could get it to their body type, maybe with a few more... alien holes, but it doesn't matter. ]

...

[ this hedgehog appears to want the person before them to wear it. ]

colosseum

[shoplifter]

[This is a very interesting situation that hasn't happened before, seeing Shadow willingly disregard the royale that was supposed to start any minute. It's also interesting because he happens to be the person she'd been assigned to fight, too — as she unfolds the paper to look at it, she notes that he's as grumpy in real life as he is in the picture they'd somehow managed to get of him.

Cameras everywhere. It's obnoxious.

Folding the picture back up, she moves to wander up and see what the problem is between the host and the strange-looking animal. The picture of her — practically a mugshot, with her unperturbed expression — looks back up at her, and she picks it up off the ground in one hand before she turns to Shadow.]

... You do not want to fight?

You could lose points.

[Laura's not really worried about herself; she has almost as many points as you can possibly get.]

scott summers, xmcu.

[redvisor]

(re)arrival.

[ He really didn't think he would end up back here...

It takes him a moment or two but, eventually, it all comes back to him. The few months he'd spent on Etraya before he'd, apparently, been taken back to his world... a world he hadn't entirely been happy in for a number of weeks that bled into months... and now he's here again. He gets the earpiece, hears it all again, and walks through the portal after he's not exactly given much of a choice. Survive. Sure. He can do that. It's what he's been doing back home, if barely.

The moment he steps through the portal, he's there, backpack slung over his shoulder and ruby quartz shades covering his eyes, leather jacket thrown on. That's the ensemble, really. No black X-Men uniform. Hasn't worn that in some time now.

Standing there, he lets out a breath and puts the earpiece in — lets himself get a lay of the land before he's making his way from the portal he came through, head ducked some, not really paying much attention to anything or anyone. He does, however, activate the earpiece and while it looks like he might be talking to himself, he's actually speaking over the earpiece to the network. ]

If anyone knows the name Scott Summers, reach out to me on this. Maybe we should talk.

casino royale.

[ Recon isn't anything new for anyone on the X-Men, but. Given the fact that he's been yanked out of his world and brought here a second time, he's letting himself have a drink or two at the bar first — get that out of the way and really let himself come to the realization that this is actually happening again.

He's decked out in a nice suit, got the red shades covering his eyes, and nursing a glass of whiskey from the looks of it. He gives the glass a bit of a shake — watches the way the amber liquid coats the sides before it runs back down. Downing the rest of it, he licks over his lips and sets the empty glass down, acknowledging whoever might be there with him at the bar. ]

Buy you a drink?

[ "Buy" but, you know. ]

wildcard.
( if you want something else with scott, feel free to hit up his PM's or catch him wandering around agora. )

(Re)arrival

[shoplifter]

[Laura is immediately distracted — immediately quieted — by the voice on the other end. She'd just finished an obstacle course and had been making her way back out on the streets of Agora, side-stepping and pushing through obnoxious reporters who love to get the inside scoop of the higher-scoring contestants and their drama.

After a moment, she sends back:]

... Scott? You are here in Aphaia?

[Was Etraya dropping brand new arrivals into missions now?

And was this the Scott who had vanished like she had? Or...]

aerith gainsborough (ffvii rebirth)

[floresco]

– i. aphaia

[ Like any former resident of the slums, Aerith knows the backalleys are one of the most useful places to be, not least of all because the things in her supply bag may, or may not be entirely for her (a bag of hopefully fake blood?), and if everything is as scarce in this place as she’s been told, she’s hopeful to get ahead with a few well-made trades.

Naturally, just like the backalleys of Midgar, there’s no shortage of seedy, shadowy places, and while she appreciates the chance to somewhat escape the Gamerunner’s constant vigilance. It’s a short-lived sense of comfort, however. No matter how much better staying out of sight might make her feel, she can’t escape the way the number beside the word contender has begun to tick down, a constant reminder of how finite her time here is, and the weighty task hanging over her head while she’s there.

That number quickens her steps as she skirts her way through Aphaia’s districts until she’s lingering just outside the Symposium. She’s aware that in all likelihood she is not supposed to be there, but if this is about giving the audience something to watch in order to survive and get ahead, she’s going to have to think quickly.

Aerith gives her supplies one more look and grabs the blood bag, trying not to make a face as she puts on her best purposeful gait, and makes her way around the side of the building, looking for a service entrance. Surely disguising herself as someone who works there will be interesting enough to give her numbers the bump she’s starting to worry they might need. ]

Excuse me! [ Whether whoever she’s speaking to looks like they have a clue, or not. ] Do you know where they take deliveries? I’ve got somebody’s dinner order, and I’ll be in big trouble if it gets cold before I get in there!

[ It sounds absurd, but, so has everything else up until this point! ]

– ii. st🌟rlight soirée

[ Aerith hasn’t found a partner yet, but she isn’t going to let a silly thing like that stop her (especially after watching an exhausted couple trip over their last few steps and simply vanish into thin air). With the thought of pacing herself firmly in mind, she tries to do her best with the floor as it moves beneath her feet, using it to get around as she shimmies by herself to the music.

It’s not great for her score. Neither is the hole that opens up and makes her stumble, catching one foot and throwing her just off-kilter enough that she’s got to brace herself on the nearest person, or risk falling flat on her face.

By the time the hole lets her go, she’s more than a little bit flustered, laughing nervously as she looks up at the person who’s unwittingly saved her from whatever’s waiting beneath the floor. ]

Love your moves! [ Better to play it off like all of this was intentional, right? The few points her number gains speak volumes to that suspicion. ] I didn’t think anybody knew that dance this far from home. [ Just how nervous she is reflects in the firm hold she keeps on their arm, and the hopeful look in those rounding eyes. ] Wanna keep going?

– iii. casino royale with cheese

I’m supposed to speak only in rhyme? What a silly time! [ If the options are certain death, or not try, she’ll do her best, especially after her first spin of the wheel turned absolutely ill-fated when the very large person she followed inside seemed to have zero interest in being protected by a displaced florist clad in a cheerful pink sequin dress.

Aerith elects to look on the bright side – she doesn’t have to think in rhyme, at least, which is a boon given that her mind hasn’t stopped reeling since she stepped out of the jungles of Gongaga and straight into what is definitely a different world entirely. ]

Hey, can you help me out? [ And because she has to– ] You seem like somebody with a lot of clout.[ Honestly, under normal circumstances, Aerith would be loving this, but the knowledge of her first failure, and what happens if she bungles up the wheel’s second result weighs heavy on her. ] I know I sound ridiculous, but this is my second spin, and I’m trying to be inconspicuous.

[ And maybe, by some dumb stroke of luck, she can use this bizarre turn of fate to her advantage. After all, the staff seems like they’re all on autopilot, somebody insistently rhyming at them might throw them off enough to get her, and this poor person with clout closer to that zip drive.

Even in a dying world, she's determined to do her best and get through this. ]

– iv. wildcard

[ or choose chaos and drop a wildcard based on any of the other prompts, feel free to send a dm if you'd like to plot something specific or have any questions. happy to match tagging format. ]

ii

[shadowsincryo]

How could I refuse? [The man who caught her is tall, with a long fall of dark blue hair running down one side of his chest. His flashy-looking clothes are the kind that are easy to move in. He gently guides her to a safe tile.] I know quite a few moves, what sort of dance would you like the most?

I find it helps to ease the homesickness. [His pleasant smile fades into something softer, as he says low while aware the cameras are going.] Follow my lead, we'll make it through.

knife 🗡️ an oc 🗡️

[rudelanguage]

arriving.

[fucking fuck.

there is no ruder awakening than one in the company of a stranger. or...projected stranger? Knife admittedly didn't hear the technological explanation about artificial intelligence or whatever (which is no offense to Aurora; Knife habitually tunes out talk from strangers longer than ten seconds when they're not a mark), and when their demands to know where Soliton was led to attempts to attack the projection, Knife was left alone in the room they woke in.

bad, probably. but privacy is good. if just one person (projection, thing, whatever) saw their face, that was better than a dozen. just them, their belongings...and some weird, fucky purple portal. Soliton's probably there.

...ooh. free bag.


Knife takes time accounting for things. weaponry first - sword, shifted into dagger-mode; knives (multiple, varying bluntness and utility), remains of meals past in varying states of expiration, the hexed planchette...

oh hey, yeah, this thing!]

...

Fhhhhhhhhhh...

[fffUCKING useless, nice; Knife's glare around the overly-bright and offensively white (are they making fun of them??) room yields no latent, glimmering trails of magic through the eye of the planchette. back into the pocket it goes.

they keep a wary eye on the persistent portal while packing belongings back (and plundering the room for grabbables not too big for the bag), ears straining for familiar voices...hell, any voices. before the hammering of their heart can get to them, Knife peels their eyes away, around...and down.

holy fuck, the floor is so goddamn shiny. they can see themselves in it!

that's actually useful.

they go through their options and, given the uncertainty of the situation, not knowing what species are even fucking around, Knife opts for a stronger front: after willing their skin to darken to green, they smear their facial features about as the memory of half-orc features fill their memory and will the pearly reflection in the floor to match them. bones pop in a refreshing way as their shoulders broaden and frame fills in a taller, more muscular form.

try as they might, they'll never fully erase trace of that scar on their face, but their skintone is dark enough...and hell, half-orcs are known to be loaded with scars! they decide to trace a few more along the face, neck, arms...good.

after clothes are adjusted to fit more comfortably, some pieces reversed to a different pattern than their favorite blacks, Knife the half-orc climbs up off the floor, hefts their new bag, and walks through the portal...

...walking into someone on the other side. enjoy getting walked into by a 6'8", bushy-haired, underbite-having orc-looking stranger with pockets full of junk, somebody-i-don't-know.]

---

biding.

[being big seems simultaneously useful and trifling; what Knife's been gleaning so far from overhearing voices both bodied and...enchanted? (where is all the excess noise coming from?? who's the wizard they've got to stab?)...they take it that the best place to get ahead of things (whatever those are) is to go knock some heads in a colosseum.

sure, why the fuck not. but it'd be really fucking stupid to traipse on in there without knowing how the score sits beforehand, and that's why Knife's tailed someone along to the winding Backalleys to snoop out more information.

you know what would make information snooping so much easier? wearing the fucking earpiece they were given that's just in the bottom of their fucking bag. but why would they do that? no one told them to! and if they tried now? good luck! the languages here are fucking incomprehensible!

fucking someone here is going to know Thieves' Cant. surely. hopefully.

the half-orc flashes one of the subtle hailing signs here and there as they tromp along the alleyways, glowering at those who catch their eye without the return signal.

growled under their breath:] Fucking come on...nobody here talks fucking plain...

---

dueling.

[the moment the lights come to glaring life, Knife bristles in place, posture rigid and eyes wide and darting about. the light is a disorienting factor meant to put them on edge and make their performance falter and possibly get them killed faster an--]

...Th'fuck?

[music? hello? what is this, a bard battle?

they lash out and snatch a drone flying too close to them, arm quivering as they stall its puttering, and draws it to themself.

while withdrawing a knife and starting to cut in through one of the metallic seams, they glare accusingly at the nearest whoever:] You. Talk normal? You understand? Explain this shit. Are we killing each other or not?

---

randomizing.

[i'm new to the gameverse/setting, so if you got a fun idea to play with, hmu!!!]

arriving!

[fireboost]

[ it's hard to grow accustomed to this place. as busy as her own home had been, blaze is far from used to this level of technology and modernity. it almost reminds her of the sort of place that eggman, or eggman nega aspire to build—so it's no wonder that she finds herself pacing through the streets with such unease. her points slowly tick down one by one the longer she remains, but if there's one thing she's unsuited for, it's whatever this is.

with her nerves as high strung as they are, it's only a matter of time until blaze ends up walking into somebody else in this place. "walking into" is one way to put it, but it almost seems more like "tripping over" when blaze's small figure passes through his path. but before she can find herself toppled over, she jumps back like the startled cat she is, lifting her gaze with slightly bristling fur. ]

...

[ she's never seen a figure like his before, but her furrowed expression has her looking more offended than curious. her curt tone doesn't help as she speaks up. ]

Excuse me.

dante — devil may cry.

[devilblooded]

💥 ARRIVAL.
— freshly arrived or veterans welcome.

Gee, Toto. Guess we're not in Kansas anymore, huh?

( It's said to whoever might be there with him after the whole arrival spiel is said and done. Not exactly where he was planning to end up, but hey. Could be worse? Got to look at the silver lining there. But, what he's also got to look at is the little earpiece he'd been given by the hot AI. Holding the thing up, he squints some as he eyes the thing — rolls it around between his fingers a couple times, then looks back over to his fellow companion here with a rather curious blink of his eyes. )

You think they got a landline or somethin' around here? Kind of like the old fashioned feel of communication, you know what I mean?


💥 AGORA.
— out and about.

( Well the public center is where he figures all the food will be, so. That's where he's wandering his way through currently. Arms swinging at his sides, gently weaving his way through the bit of a crowd happening on the streets and not wanting to get in anyone's way. He's even whistling away as he goes, carefree as ever.

That's when he spots the massive changing billboards overhead and, right as one changes from a different contestant to... him? Whoa, that's him! That right there gets him to stop in his tracks, mouth dropping open, and he laughs at the sight. )

Hot damn, that's me! ( To which he points to the billboard with his picture on it with the rank of Champion , looking as cheesy as ever. Of course, that just gets him grinning. ) Whattaya think? ( A tilt of his head, that grin just widens. ) Pretty close, huh?


💥 CASINO ROYALE.
— at the entrance.

( Entrance fee, huh? Well. At least it's not going to cost him any kind of coin because he's a bit short on those at the moment, so. Spin of the wheel it is. Looks fun, too! He stands there, hands resting on his waist as the wheel goes round and round and round... maybe he shouldn't have spun the thing so hard — held back on the demonic strength a bit and all, but. It's fine. Just takes a bit for it to begin slowing down some and, when it finally stops, it lands on 14. Scratching at the stubble there on his chin, he glances over to the next person for a spin. )

Huh. You think that's good or bad?


💥 WILDCARD.
— etc, etc, etc.

( dante is half-human, half-demon with the rank of champion here in aphaia. will match prose if that's more your style. if you want something else with the devil hunter, feel free to shoot me a PM and we can chat! )

casino royale

[limiterrings]

[ the thing about this is that shadow has heard him more than seen him, that same jarring voice breaking through the crowd when he first got here, then somewhere near the billboards, and now at the casino.

does he ever stop talking? crimson eyes look before him at the man's roll, then looks off to the side as if it doesn't matter. it's when the host pulls out a sheet of paper to show what the player has won, but it's blank, nothing visible... ]

Does this mean you disappear?

[ good if so, bad if not. that means shadow wouldn't have to hear anymore of his chatter. that said, the hedgehog seems unwilling to even roll himself, only glaring at the host that's waiting for him follow suit like his good, enthusiastic friend next to him was. ]

sophie cuckoo / x-men comics

[sophielicious]

prom queen

(Sometimes, shit just happens when you're a mutant. You die, you get brought back to life, and then you die again, and then you get brought back to life, this would be a much more panic-inducing situation if she weren't Sophie Cuckoo.

And much less annoying if she weren't Sophie Cuckoo, currently the holder of unstable psychic powers, and one out of five in a hivemind where only she is present.

At the very least, she can say she enjoys a good ol' party, and the words 'prom queen' are very, very alluring. The thought of Paragon, as silly and temporary as is? It gets her on the dance floor faster than one can blink.

Unfortunately, this is a telepath.)

Doesn't that foam pit look super fun? I think you should totally check it out, really looks like your thing.

(There's now a dying curiosity within the person she's with, and they dare, and they lose. It's now a new person she's pointing to. Shall we?)

wildcard

(i'm learning her, so this is me dipping my toes! feel free to send anything my way!)

closed to quentin quire

[sophielicious]

(Heels clack on the streets on the way to this... Suppose it's a party, and she doesn't really say 'no' to parties. Of course, she packed the nicest dress she could find in Etraya, the most intricate and shiny jewelry, and she's strutting until she senses something very, very familiar——

——that she wishes she hasn't. God, she wishes she hadn't. Quentin's presence just sours her entire mood, and she can not only feel his signature, she can sense him nearby.)

/Ew, seriously? You're coming, too? You're here? Just kill me, Quire./

Jason Todd | Titans

[copsormasks]

Fight Club

[Jason is initially set at a score of 50 and a contender when he arrives in Aphaia. He's dressed in none of his usual Robin regalia. His suit is locked up back home and so he arrives in a black hoodie, some dark jeans, chucks, and a chip on his shoulder a mile wide. He doesn't remember walking into any neon dream. He's wandering around with his head down when he bumps into someone.]

Hey, what the hell?

[Nevermind that the collision is all Jason's fault.]



Prom!

[Jason never went to prom in Gotham. He never had the funds to do anything like this. Before he hits the door, he's rushed off to be changed into a suit and tie. It reminds him of Bruce, of some of the stiff galas they might attend. The invitation to London rings in his ears again and he almost doesn't allow himself to be pushed back into the room with all the other suits. Jason doesn't have much of a choice as the door is closed behind him.]

Great. [Jason mutters, looking out at the crowd as he tries to slink back into the shadows.]


Casino!

[Jason is still wearing the very tailored suit after the prom in order to be let into the casino. He watches the wheel be spun several times, watches the effects on others before deciding he wants nothing to do with it. However, just as he tries to step back and away, someone from behind pushes him up and the ball is spun for him now.

Where does it land?]



Wildcard!
[Hit me with a new prompt or find me at derecho @ plurk!]

sorry Jason, it's prom time lol

[bubblegumheart]

[As far as challenges go, this is closer to what Chrissy is comfortable with than most of the others. She hadn't gotten to go to prom at home, and Vance isn't around to win another one for her via pinball game, so this is going to have to do.

She's waiting around to see who they've paired her up with when she notices someone nearby mumbling and trying to melt into the scenery.]

Not a fan of formal wear?

jinx / arcane (current character)

[jinxs]

ᑕᗩᔕIᑎO ᖇOYᗩᒪE

(Gambling is more Sevika's thing, but girl's gotta entertain herself somehow, so here Jinx is, set on stealing the flashdrive to maybe sell, trade, or maybe actually do something with it, all depending on what is within it... If she can find it.

The issue is that the moment that Jinx steps into the casino and rolls that wheel. Suddenly, the everlasting turmoil within her quiets. Not a feeling, not even the motivation that had her enter this in the first place is not there anymore. This would feel strange, but the lack of feeling in itself hinders her from figuring the discomfort it brings.

Instead, she'll sit by the bets, listening, nodding for every win, every loss. It's not Jinx if she's not loud, passionate, and right now?

It's all so monotone.)

Casino

[once_reborn]

[Apparently she can't use the letter 'e'. Which should mean getting through and out of this place as soon as possible. But when she sees someone just...listlessly watching, that activates the parts of her that, well, as almost inherently Jedi these days.]

[So she approaches, sitting alongside the other. And try to make things work out, somehow.]

Salutations. Can't talk right, casino says so. You okay? Can I...

[Damn, she can't say help, but...]

Aid you?

Shadow | Sonic the Hedgehog (Paramount) | New Character

[thelightshines]

A - Arrival

[Shadow isn't sure what to make of any of this. He tries to retain the information being provided to him, but he's...distracted. A lot has happened in a short span of time back home that he's still coming to grips with. To suddenly be tossed in entirely other world is jarring, confusing. Why was he picked? There's at least three individuals he could think of that are better suited for the required purpose this "Aurora" desires. At least one thing gets cleared up. This is definitely not the planet he originated from.

The portal is left open for him to go through once Aurora finishes, but he doesn't take it. The room itself, while the furniture seem familar, it all also felt foreign and new to him. What was that one room in the base....a medical bay? That's what it felt like, just more modern and futuristic.

He gets to the earpiece that's been left for him. He stares at it for a bit, turning it in his hand. This small thing will allow him to communicate with everyone? He's a bit skeptical, remembering the clunky devices the humans used back home to contact people. Then again, fifty years later, didn't Stone and the younger Robotnik used something similar? How does this fit everything it needs to do?

...He probably should have asked Aurora all of this. An annoyed sigh. No point in thinking about a missed opportunity. He'll make it work.]

Option 1 - Action:
[While he's aware of others arriving like him, he is purposely putting distance between everyone while he tries to figure out the earpiece. But should one choose to approach because they see him struggling, he will instinctively glare at them.] What?

Option 2 - Network:
[A broadcast comes up, and then goes away a moment later. There may be a few posts like this where it's blank. Maybe one is a short video where people will see the top of an animal that was jet black in color with red highlights, and cat-like ears. Eventually, a full on proper visual shows, and it's just a white wall. This is intentional, Shadow is experimenting while staying out of view. A low male voice speaks up.] Hello?

B - Casino
[It takes him a bit to adjust, but he's learning that nearly everyone here do not care for the alien hedgehog with destructive powers walking around. And he's relieved for this. Still, the amount of people in this place can get overwhelming at times, on top of literally everything being new to him. Giving himself a task helps him focused on something instead of all the things he doesn't know. Casinos are places he heard of, but never been. Something about needing to be older, not even she was allowed in these places.

They're noisy, the air full of energy to the point that it felt exhausting to be in. People like being in these environments? Well, he can certainly understand how information could be abundant here. And that's what he's looking into. Although, he caught himself in a bit of a snag. Normally he does tend to stick to the shadows anyway, but he's currently be forced to. Someone hanging away from the lights might hear a snap, and feel short burst of wind. They'll find they aren't alone anymore and small dark hedgehog has appeared beside them, as if out of thin air.]

[Wildcard]
[Let me know if guys want something else! I can be reached through PM or noletters]

wildcard

[limiterrings]

[ it doesn't take long, but as the younger hedgehog makes his way around, he'll note how some creatures seem to avoid him, even if he asks for directions or anything at all. they're wary of him, and some of the participants even muttering how they should get rid of him. unfortunately, he hasn't broken any rules, but one hostess that's carrying a couple of drinks, her wing-like feel sweeping along the ground as she stops in front of him.

her words come out like clicks, but because of his device he's able to make out what she's saying.

"return Him."

it doesn't make sense initially, because who is "Him" that she's speaking of? the expression she wears is wary of the child, clicking again to tell him to hurry up. to ensure him that she knows he's the one that's responsible for her issue, she holds out a red quill. mind you, the creature came from the opposite direction of the casino that the other hasn't even visited yet. ]

Ellie Sattler • Jurassic Park

[whoruntheworld]

starlight
[No.

When she had said she wanted out of the island, this isn't what she had had in mind. The glaring lights are almost too much by themselves, utterly overwhelming... never mind how they came to be in her sight to begin with! Ellie has no choice, though. She moves forward into a crowd and then she moves with the crowd, displays herd behavior, helpless and disgusted in a way she hasn't felt in... well, in about a day and a half, actually.

This place... is chaotic. She occasionally pats at her grimy, rumpled shirt with blatant anxiety. Not to smooth out the wrinkles or to make herself more palatable for the show but to remind herself she's not dreaming. Not having a nightmare within a nightmare.

Maybe she should have paid more attention to her surroundings though, because this is how she ends up in the Colosseum... for a prom.] I-

No, no, I... are you kidding me?

casino
[Her... points are dropping. Apparently getting shoved into a cocktail dress didn't improve her mood or willingness to cooperate with being made a plaything. Who could have guessed?

Ellie doesn't wish she was back with the... dinosaurs. It sounds strange and faraway, in this world where there is nothing natural except for the sickness of entitlement to the lives of others. No, she doesn't wish she was back in the island, in the park... but she had known her objective back then. Survive.

So as she walks towards this new room, she looks towards this other person. And she figures, well...

Allegedly, the objective is clear. To survive.

Tired and bedraggled, she offers a smile. It doesn't reach her eyes but it's... something.]

Want to try this together?

starlight

[maximumlegend]

[ Fabian blinks before looking over at the woman. He stares for a moment, unsure of why exactly she's saying that - is it because of her outfit? Ellie certainly doesn't look like she's dressed for any kind of dance, that's for sure.

He doesn't know if it's that though. Who even knows what about this entire situation might startle a person. So he ends up moving up to her through the crowd, giving her a curious little stare with his one eye as the teen asks: ]

Is something wrong?

[ Obviously something is. The question is just what exactly. ]

Fio (NieR:Re[in]carnation) | new character

[sabigoe]

I. arrival

[ Greeted by the neon lights, colors, cameras, noise—nearly everything is a massive sensory overload. The world that Fio came from wasn't so vibrant and neither was the time period that she was originally born in. Perhaps she experienced dreams with a similarly brilliant setting in the past, now entirely forgotten after Levania ate her nightmares.

And being a child, Fio sticks out like a sore thumb, drawing in the attention of many residents and reporters taking an interest in the rare young contestant: a tiny human girl in a tattered white dress with dark manacles on her wrists.

Back home, someone like her would be jeered at. Maybe she should feel pleased to have overwhelming and seemingly positive attention. However, it's a bit much. Each person is talking over another with a bombardment of interview questions and comments. She can't catch everyone's words. It's stressful. ]

Uh... sorry! I've gotta go!

[ Looking apologetic, she forcefully shoves her way outside of the crowd, clutching the bag of supplies close. They watch her flee, disappointment in their eyes. The lack of answers is likely driving her already low rank of a Shade down even lower. ]

a. [ Fio takes brisk steps and doesn't stop moving. In her rush, she might collide into someone as she tries to seek out a quiet place to be alone. ]

b. [ Eventually, she finds peace from the curious locals that have taken a fascination with her, finally taking a breather in the back alleys. It's dark, but some may notice a small form rifling through a bag or fiddling around with their earpiece. ]

II. st★rlight soirée

[ Dancing is more like it. (And she might be a little ill prepared to what sort of competition chaos that may take place once she sets foot on the dance floor.) Except it's ballet dancing that Fio has most familiarity with. However, it may be a talent that she's a little rusty in since being suspended from school back home. Still, she's always had daydreams of dancing like the princesses in the picture books that she always loved. And for once, she has a chance to wear something that makes her feel like a little princess: a black and gold dress that was provided to her. It almost feels strange to wear, since she had always been considered to be the lowest of the low when it came to social status.

A partner is required, according to the rules. There is likely a massive height difference in comparison to the other dancers, yet she isn't deterred from seeking out a dance partner. They may have to look down when she approaches. Do you look like a person lacking a partner? She'll bound over, offering a hand. Maybe kindness and charm will help boost their scores a little. Foiling anyone else's efforts really isn't on this girl's mind. ]

Hello! My name's Fio. [ A friendly, but awkward smile. ] I've mostly seen dancing like this in picture books... but I'll do my best!

III. wildcard

[ I'm a little rusty with RPing and might need some extra review... I wanted to poke around the TDM though! Feel free to change up prompts a little to better fit your character or provide some variation. If you're unsure, PMing me if you have any other ideas is also an option! As a side note content warning, Fio's background history does involve child death and neglect. While she might avoid bringing it up herself, it could be prompted in conversation or vaguely mentioned in brackets. ]

I/ab mixish... fio!!!!!! 🥺

[fireboost]

[ blaze isn't having the best time here either, honestly, but she's determined to make the best of a bad situation. that's why she travels through the different districts, quietly observing passersby to learn how they behave, and what behaviour seems to allow individuals to earn more points.

observing as she is, though, she can't help but notice a small human child make her way through the crowd, disappearing around a corner that leads to one of the back alleys. for a moment, blaze hesitates, but ultimately her sense of responsibility won't allow her to turn a blind eye.

following on the girl's trail, blaze's pace slows as she spots a tattered white dress. ]

Excuse me...

[ without approaching too closely, blaze comes to a stop a few steps away. ]

Are you alright?

Maria Robotnik | Sonic the Hedgehog Games | New Character!

[dreamsofearth]

Arrival (Agora)
A young frail blond girl wearing a blue hairband, dress and sweater stumbled into view in the Agora. “Aurora, wait!” She called, turning to look behind her. But the portal that had sent her here was gone. Squinting, she turned, nearly blinded from all the dazzling lights and colors and…people. She carried a backpack full of supplies, and she had put the earpiece she had been given onto her ear.

Shielding her eyes, she looked about her, scared and more than a bit lost. Just what was she supposed to do? She was barely processing everything that had been told to her by the white haired…lady? Hologram? Technology was clearly more advanced than what she was used to. She was told that she wouldn’t be on this planet (!!) long and that she just had to survive. She shivered, looking down at herself. Expecting to see red on her dress, but it was clean as it always was. She rested a hand on her chest for a moment.

“And here we have Maria Robotnik! A young human girl from the planet Earth, afflicted with a terminal illness! Will she have what it takes to raise in rankings and win a place in the hearts of the audience? Will a cure be found to save her life? Only time will tell!”

Maria jerked back as devices with lenses floated around her at every angle, hearing the voice of some kind of announcer. Staring, she spotted a huge image of herself on one of the billboards in the area. Feeling her face start to burn in embarrassment, she pushed past the cameras and through the people and aliens (??) trying to ask her questions, making her way through the crowds at a quick trot in search of a quieter place to mentally regroup and catch her breath.

She got to the edge of the crowded square and rounded a corner. Looking over her shoulder to check if anyone or cameras were following her, she wasn’t paying attention and smacked into someone.

“Oh!” She stumbled back, losing her balance. “I’m so sorry!”


Starlight Soiree
Maria stood outside the Colosseum, indecisive. She could hear the music from within the building, but was unsure about going in. Though she was curious about going to a dance. She’d never been to one before let alone a prom. She’d read about them though. What would it be like? The main thing causing her hesitation was the fact she was on some kind of alien world and that it was not safe. Or at least, she didn’t feel safe at all.

She didn’t have much in the way of stamina or endurance, being on the sickly and frail side. So she’d be useless in any kind of competition. Maybe she could just sit out here for a while, swaying a little to the music and closing her eyes. Imagining what it would be like to dance with someone.


Wildcard!
Interested in tagging with Maria, but with a different prompt? Feel free to PM dreamsofearth if you have an idea and/or want me to make a custom starter for you! I will always write prose by default as it’s my preferred style, but I can match if necessary.

Two Shadows and Maria walk into GUN HQ-

[thelightshines]

[Colosseums are meant to be places where battles happen right...? He's not sure what happened, but now everyone's dancing inside. He might have stay to observe from a distance, but chooses not to partake at any point. It...hits a little too close to home, and he rather not try to dance with a complete stranger.

So after making his observation, he concludes he won't really get anything more out of it and makes his exit from the Colosseum. There's probably somewhere else he can go and get some actual information. Or points. He needs to worry about those points.]

inara serra — firefly

[strumpet]

— arrival (back alleys)

( if there was one thing inara had learned in the years since she first began to train to be a companion was how to survive and get a good reading on people regardless of where she was. she, like most new arrivals was deeply surprised at their situation and while she wasn't sure if this world was truly a part of her own, she kept her composure for now. what she needed more than anything was information and secrets—

if there was anything she had truly picked up on during orientation was the little point system going on and how vital it was she kept hers up. for now she had been ranked as a champion but it was fickle. with her dark wide eyes she saw how easily some had risen up and fallen down to the danger zone. so she sought out to find somewhere where she could thrive, the seedy back alleys where secrets and information were often shared and traded.

there she remained, in her robes from her world, dressed poshly. it was a harsh contrast to the decaying world, but if anyone came by and wasn't stopped by her hand beckoning them, they surely had to stop and look at this alluring woman. )

Hey there, mind sparing a few moments of your time for someone like me?

( her voice was seductive and alluring, but behind the strong stance and facade was a woman full of fear. )

— starlight soiree

( although this situation didn't lend itself to be too inviting to indulge in dancing, if there was one place where inara truly shined it was here. she had been many a partner to great men of wealth and power, being brought along to fancy dances like these were people often went to show off their latest costume designed by haute couture brands. it was also in places like these that people went off to get big-headed, filling their mind with restless pretentious chatter and ideas. this was different though, there was something about this specific dance that seemed to be a test.

that was easy enough for inara to pick up on but why would she willingly come? for points of course.

so to whoever happened to stroll by, nervous energy about them or not, she was quick to swoop in with all the charm and gentle air she could muster. with her delicate and small frame she easily swindled herself into their arms with a bright smile that made it easy to forgive her. )

Come on now, don't be shy. Let's dance and talk about this place or anything really, I'm all yours for this dance.

— wildcard

( feel free to hit me with a wildcard or any prompt of your choice! a bit of info on the character: inara is from a far distant future where most of humanity is scattered across space. she is a registered companion with the goverment, akin to an oiran who provides entertainment/sexual services to customers she chooses. she will not be propositioning anyone but if you'd prefer to avoid those topics being brought up let me know. feel free to dm me for a closed starter if desired. )

wildcard - casino

[ornithologist]

[ Harold is an older gentleman dressed very properly. He's not quite pulling out his Crane persona, but it's not far from it; his three-piece suit is immaculate, the tie and pocket square in tastefully mismatched maroon and pink patterns against the subtle geometric lines of his dark sport coat. Searching down a crucially important flash drive needed to flip the script on this dreadful farce is at least something he's decently qualified to tackle.

Unlike dancing or fighting. Whatever his points are, they're probably dreadfully low, because Harold is not even trying to participate past the bare minimum.

He has a reasonable skill at counting cards, which means he finds the house's win rate extremely suspect; he's standing off to the side observing others gambling for long stretches. When he catches sight of someone entering his personal space for a conversation, he offers an opening sally. ]

I do wonder how they've fixed everything. It can't be just the usual strategies, not with a 100% win ratio.

roronoa zoro | one piece | new character

[mossheaded]

▶ ST★RLIGHT SOIRÉE

[ arms folded, jaw set in a grim line, it was no secret zoro didn’t want to be there. the fact that he had allowed himself to be misled would have been cause enough for his mood, but knowing that what should have been a colosseum was, in fact, some kind of ballroom event had been the icing on a particularly shitty cake.

the beginnings of a headache already taking root thanks to the obnoxious neon of the city proper, the too-loud music and dazzle refracted light were doing little to improve his mood. had this been an actual colosseum, the promise of violence might have at least given him some temporary purpose. fighting made sense, and he was damned good at it – instead, he was watching his points steadily decrease, his harsh demeanour and stubborn resistance to the music’s pull doing little to win over the audience.

the approach of his would-be partner did manage to catch his attention, even over the flashier goings on of the dancing around them. casting a hard glance in their direction, his good eye gave them a brief once over, as though sizing them up – and, knowing zoro, he likely was.

What do you want?

▶ CASINO ROYALE

[ luck had been on zoro’s side more often than not. several times, he’d left himself to the whims of fate, testing his fortune with both life and limb – such as tossing a cursed sword, to see if it might claim his arm as payment. by comparison, a roulette wheel full of lame challenges was hardly a threat. what was the worst that could happen?

well, since he’d asked…

zoro might have cursed upon seeing the wheel land on four, were he still able to; unfortunately, his mouth was no longer able to form the words. thanks to whatever mysterious force was at play, his once well-trained body was replaced with that of a large, scruffy, green-tinted feline – one eye still missing, an ear notched where his earrings normally hung. the cat would have looked more at home in a back alley than it did in the casino, matted and ill-kempt.

how the hell was he supposed to accomplish anything like this? even if he found the flash drive (whatever that was, as he hadn't actually figured it out yet), how was he supposed to carry it? not like he could open any doors, when he didn’t have any goddamned thumbs.

considering his options, he remained close to the entrance, scowling miserably at the room beyond. no one could ever find out about this. ]

▶ WILD CARD

[ feel free to hit him with something different, if you’d like! ]

catsino royale

[floresco]

[ Maybe she should have considered all the things she'd seen written on the wheel, as it might have prevented her from jumping to conclusions, or, perhaps the business of trying to rhyme everything and not die is distracting enough that she wouldn't have ever gotten there.

Regardless, when Aerith spots the grumpy looking green-tinged cat skulking around one of the casino's outer room, she takes it as face value. Everything else has been completely unfathomable, why shouldn't a stray cat sneak into this place? His grizzled, matted appearance does nothing to dissuade her from approaching, glittering in pink sequins but obviously out of place despite being forced into dressing up.

When she hunkers down about a yard away from the cat, Aerith's mindful not to get too close just yet, offering the sweet little green kitty a hand to sniff and inspect as she would with any cat back home. ]

Poor little thing, you must be lost. [ It's ridiculous that a word as simple as lost gives her pause while her brain scrambles to find a rhyme for it, but she's doing her best to go along with the wheel's result and not get killed. ] This casino has a doorway you should not have crossed! [ Oh, she's very obviously proud of that one, delivering it with a cheerful finger pointing up towards the ceiling and a smile. ]

Well, I guess you're coming with me, and wherever we end up, that's what it will be. [ And, because he's a cat, she moves closer and scoops him up with no problem, mindful to support his hind legs while she hugs him to her chest. ]

You don't know anything about a zip drive, do you? [ She asks, while skirting the edge of the room and trying to figure out what's next for her and her new pet, which she'll definitely carry through the promised exit and keep forever if she can swing it. ] Maybe a green cat isn't the best place to look for a breakthrough.

Baylene | Dinosaur

[lastofthearmlizards]

[Arrival]

[To say that Baylene was confused would be underselling it. One moment, she was in the nesting grounds along with the herd and now, she’s somewhere completely unfamiliar. To top it all off, she’s been informed by a small, odd entity about participating in some contest in the middle of a dying planet before being asked to step through the portal.

Needless to say, Baylene isn’t exactly happy about Aphaia's situation. As the last of her kind, she’s quite baffled as for why they decided to indulge in entertainment in spite of the fact that their planet is literally in the process of dying out.]

My goodness, I cannot possibly understand why they'd chosen to do all of this instead of focusing on their own survival.

[Colosseum]

[In ordinary circumstances, Baylene would prefer not to fight at all. But given that she’s been given the rank of Underling at 43 and dropping all the way to zero means death, she didn’t really have any other choice.

The arena shakes as the dinosaur walks out into the battlefield. She may not be the strongest contender out here, but she’s certainly one of the largest. That may or may not prove to her biggest advantage, depending on the abilities and intentions of the other contesters around.]

Do you wish to fight or form an alliance with me?

[She’s hoping that someone would pick the latter option, but she wouldn’t be surprised if they chose the former anyway.]

[Casino (5)]

[Baylene wasn’t sure what to expect here. She did as what she’s been instructed to do and spun the wheel with her tail. It took some time before the wheel slows down and lands on 5.

Unfortunately for everyone in the casino, this meant that each time she takes even the smallest of steps, the ground shakes violently as if there’s an earthquake going on. Suddenly, finding the flash drive proves to be much harder than she would’ve liked it to be.]

Oh dear, this is going to be a problem.

PANIC at the Colosseum??? (cw brief drugs mention in here bc it's absolutely warranted)

[whoruntheworld]

[Another day and another abysmal score on display for her. Needing a remedy and finding no relief from this... fever dream, Ellie finally decided to try her luck with barbarianism. That is, with leaning into it for a change.

She's one of the first, uh, gladiators assembled into the arena. Before the spectators' vote on the field is totaled. She has an aluminum baseball bat in her hands, gripping it tightly and fearing this is the end for her one way or another: the bat was all she could afford with her (lack of) rank. Surely she was going to become extinct by tonight's end anyway. And then she feels... the tremors. From the ground.

And not for the first time, she is in the shadow of a- this is a-

and it's talking to her.

('She', her mind corrects even in her panic. This beautiful... brachiosaurus is a... she.)]

With you.

[Ellie's pesky human tongue is all tied up, it seems. Feeling impossibly silly (and like she should have mugged Malcolm for the good drugs if she's going to be tripping like this), Ellie repeats herself. Louder.]

I'll fight with you. Not against you!

dean winchester | supernatural - current character

[venatoris]

⏵ st★rlight soirée ⏴

[ Dean is used to dressing up as a fed to slither into crime scenes he's technically not supposed to be at; as such, he's also much better these days about picking out articles of clothing that suit his tall frame very well. At twenty-six, he used to look awkward in ill fitted suits, feeling like a seventh grader at his first dance, whereas now... he's certainly grown into himself, and has a far better eye for fashion. This is mostly due to Eliot Ness and Ezra Moore teaching him a thing or two in his little stint in 1944. The fabric of his chosen attire clings just right, all sharp angles and smooth lines. He cuts a fine figure, he knows.

The Colosseum is a friggin' fever dream, the Panopticon Prom its beating, chaotic heart. Silver chandeliers throw fractured light across the ever-shifting floor, and Dean feels unsteady on his feet, shifting from foot to foot to keep his balance all while sipping on a martini glass filled with clear liquid. It's not his chosen drink, but how is he supposed to drink anything but a martini, shaken, not stirred? It would simply be a travesty if he ordered anything else, whiskey included. He's James Bond tonight, time to act the part - but damned if he doesn’t feel more like a gladiator being shoved into some kind of freaky ass cyberpunk ballroom blitz.

Figures bedecked in finery glide across the floor in front of him, some barely maintaining their balance, others moving with the kind of predatory grace that makes Dean's instincts go sharp as he watches, head tipped, calculating. The objective is to not die, which he's pretty damned good at, all things considered. He's kinda lost track of how many times he's kicked the bucket, he keeps on coming back, never truly defeated.

The music hums and has him vibrating in his own skin, a siren song that makes his blood race and heart pound. Time to make a decision - find a dance partner, continue the mission.

The drones are already watching. The audience is waiting.

Dean squares his jaw and steps forward. Time to dance. ]

⏵ casino royale ⏴

[ The Casino Royale is an opulent mirage and reminds him exactly of the James Bond movie with the same name. Dean feels like he's 007 himself stepping into the Monte-Carlo in Monaco.

The roulette wheel just inside the door calls to him, a requirement to go further inside. A flick of his wrist and it spins, the ball bouncing (always bet on black) until it finally lands with ominous finality.

Seventeen. Alright.

At first, he notices nothing, he simply walks forward into the casino, taking a sip of his drink. How could a roulette wheel have any bearing on his existence? He thinks nothing of it. But then his suit twitches, grazing over his skin and dread washes over him.

Shit. Now what.

The stitching at his sleeve loosens, one single fine thread pulling free like the unraveling of a spider’s web. Dean scowls as he watches the thread spiral downward, twirling in the air until it comes to rest atop his shoe.

Great. This one's gonna be a pain in the ass.

With every decision he makes, every step, every glance at a shadowed figure across the room, every sip of a drink - his clothing frays further. A loose seam at his cuff. A whisper of silk at his collar splitting apart. It’s a slow, deliberate punishment, the casino ensuring that by the time he makes his final move, he might be more undone than he’s willing to admit. He squares his shoulders, smirking like the challenge is nothing more than another bad hand of poker. He's played shitty hands before, it happens. He can bluff his way out of this, play it off like it's no big deal that his fucking clothes are disintegrating with every goddamn move he makes.

With an irritated exhale through his nose, Dean tugs on his sleeves to straighten them — what's left of them, anyway — and steps into the game, come what may.

He'll probably be naked by the end of it, head high, refusing to be embarrassed. He's hot, it's fine. It's all fine. ]

(( ooc; up for wildcards, shenanigans, whatever! hmu on disco impala.67, pm, or virtuously if you want something specific/have questions, otherwise go nuts ))

casino royale

[maximumlegend]

[ Though Fabian is planning on trying to get to a higher level through the casino, he is also keeping an eye out while he's there. He still isn't sure if they aren't supposed to find something on this world, or maybe there's a person they have to be paying attention to, or--

Or maybe his eye falls on Dean while he's looking around. Familiar faces immediately stand out to him in the crowd, and Fabian blinks for a moment in surprise as he watches the familiar figure. Dean is pulling things off with his attitude well enough that it takes Fabian a moment to spot from a distance that anything is even wrong at all. But once he notices something a little awkward about the other guy, Fabian is quick to make his way through the crowd over at the other. ]

Dude!

[ Hey, Dean. It's a familiar teen popping up next to you out of the crowd. ]

What's going on with you?!

harry / resident alien / extremely new character pls be gentle

[deviced]

Man Forced To Come Up With 45 Seconds Of Facial Expressions While Premise Explained To Him (arrival)

Harry has never been more offended in his entire life. Okay, no, he was slightly more offended when he found out about follow-backs, but it's pretty close. He was in the middle of something! He had a really good feeling about the next quadrant of his search plan and was utterly certain he was on the cusp of finding another part of his ship! Now he's on a planet that looks like how limes taste!

He's getting tired of circumstance and setting foot on planets he doesn't want to be on. Asta is not here with him where she was just moments ago, and he doesn't like that either.

At least his time on Earth has helped him learn how to keep a low profile and survive-- even if this society is the antithesis of everything he's been dealing with for the last few weeks. Harry is certain he will be able to manage it as well as he has been everything in Patience.

"I was in clinic," he says as he takes his white coat off, the ridiculous human emotion of self-consciousness making him feel like continuing to wear it in this situation would be ridiculous. "And now-- instead of seeing patients..."

Or disposing of the dead body in his freezer. Or finding the device and completing his mission. Or dealing with the stupid kid that can see through his biodisguise.

"This is perhaps why your stupid culture collapsed. This exact reason?"

He grabs the bag with irritation. It does not have pizza in it. This is some bullshit.

Fucking Loser At Casino All By Himself (casino)

[seeing the wheel land on 2 and not noticing anything immediately happen to him, harry shrugs it off as some kind of threat that wasn't followed through on competently. he's not even sure why he's bothered to come here (because it seems like the kind of place that asta, if she were to end up here after him, would enjoy) other than the baseline reasoning of not running out of points and being eliminated.

instead of taking part in any of the gamblnig, he is sitting by a set of card tables, watching the people who play get frustrated and give up.]

I think I understand the point of all these cameras better now, it is amusing to see people keep trying the same thing despite knowing they will fail! Then they get surprised when they do!

Only because you said pls - Casino

[odinpusrex]

[Similarly, Barnabas is not so keen to take part in the gambling, more is he a man to observe others than to take part in their pointless and meaningless games. Especially those concerning the greed of men, no thank you. Still, he finds it all rather boring, their excitement or despair at what results await them inspiring nothing within, and certainly nothing without as he watches on with a stony expression.

However, as unwavering as his resolve may seem, he is not quite so unwavering himself. When he crossed the threshold some time ago, he rolled an unlucky 13, and while the effects of alcohol oft do not take purchase within him...this is different. Thus there is a slight wobble to his standing, while all else about him remains as stoic and guarded as always.

That is, until he hears a man speak who is not too far from where he stands, his head turning with an exaggerated slowness and sway he does not realize is there as he stares at him.]

Truly? You find...entertainment in this mind-numbing banality?

[His voice isn't as neutral as he would otherwise hold it, his Scandinavian accent a little more pronounced with its languished drawl as he talks. He stands at around 6'1 and is decently built besides, the dark blue and black tuxedo foisted upon him only emphasizing that fact. For as nice as his suit is, he still bears his scruffy beard and his shaggy hair, giving him a visual contrast between his attire and countenance.]