OPEN

[glorifiedtrash]

Who: Anyone!
When: backdated 3/14
Where: Hall of Glory courtyard
What: You thought you'd just come and go normally, but no there's an obstacle course and a...barbecue...? In the courtyard...? Obstacle course log that requires TEAMWORK or cheating to get through!
Rating: Naked, succulent meats, but otherwise nah

The courtyard of the Hall of Glory today looks a bit different. It also smells delicious. Are those cooked meats? Sizzled vegetables? There's BBQ going on and it's all free, costs covered! The only problem? It's at the center of this damn obstacle course. You could just leave and get your own food. ...But that still involves going through the course or one of the side exits of the compound, but where's the fun in that. Either way you should probably do as the sign helpfully pitched next to the entrance of the course says: DON'T GO ALONE TAKE A PARTNER

I. THE ROPE BRIDGE The entrance to the course is a ladder leading high up. When you get to the top... Congrats, a rope bridge awaits you. You can go it alone, but without someone to hold the ladder for you to keep it from flipping over you'll probably fall fifteen feet below. Onto a pile of cushions and...seagulls and cats? The cushions are covered in thrown out fish heads. Take this fall and you're going to have animals following you around all day. Probably best avoided.

II. THE SLIDE You're doing good! Now it's time to get back down to the ground, lucky you. Your option is the slide in front of you. Just... Well. You're going to have a bad time when you reach the bottom unless your partner keeps the flames extinguished with a little ice magic (these flames will instantly re-ignite themselves once all ice has melted away, you see. Kind of a bitch). Don't know ice magic? Well that's what the helpful sign with step-by-step instructions to casting a low level ice spell is for! Time for a magic lesson!

III. THE BBQ You reached it! Now you don't have to suffer Monday's deadly menu in the cafeteria. ...Oh. You were trying to get out? Keep pressing on, hero. Or not. Sit down. Have a bite! With a grill and a large selection of meats and vegetables to choose from along with water and juice there's plenty to go around. Maybe chitchat with the chef. Or maybe you've been conned into being the chef. There's no pay, but know you're doing your fellow heroes a great service!

IV. THE BOUNCE HOUSE You enter a tunnel. Things get dark. And then suddenly there's flashing lights everywhere and every step your partner takes makes the floor rise beneath you, sending you flying up. You've enter the most obnoxious bounce house Caissa has to offer. Better figure out a way to walk in tandem with your partner or the two of you are going to be tumbling all over. Which isn't what you want seeing as you're not alone in here. Every bounce sends up slimy tendrils that squirm in your hair, your clothes, down your back. Isn't this obstacle course supposed to be kid friendly!? Get a good look in the strobe lights and you'll realize it's just worms. You're safe. Still disgusting though.

V. THE WALL This is it. Then end. Finally. You can get out of this incredibly lame obstacle course. The final thing in your way? A wall of hay. Happily munching away cows included. At 15" high you can't get over this thing alone. Maybe if you stand on your partner's shoulders? Whatever it takes, now's the time to get creative because those cows sure aren't demolishing the wall any time soon at the rate they're chewing.

WILDCARD/INFO This is just an obstacle course for fun to get characters ICly thinking about teaming up with one another and how to work together on their own terms in a safe (if...weird...) environment. Feel free to make up your own obstacles, wreck parts of the course, solve the obstacles however you like, etc. Essentially rule of funny goes!

Comments

[accordance]

0;

[ Every day is an invitation to learn new things, this one included. As soon as the course is set up, he would have arrived in the early morning to investigate all the commotion. Given that he doesn't eat, his main incentive for trying out the obstacle course is to just Savour The Experience.

If you're in need of a partner, he'll be at one side just watching everyone go up. Or maybe he's come up to you after you've wandered around for a bit trying to find someone else. ]

Do you require someone to go with you?

1;

[ So the two of you have come to the rope bridge! LL's the one holding it first, and his grip is extremely firm. Now that you've made it across to the other side, it's time for him to go over. And he starts.

Except... he's slow. He calculates each movement while taking into account of every swing that the bridge does, which means he's inching forward at a snail's pace.

Are you patient enough to wait for him, or would you yell at him to hurry up instead? ]

5;

[ Faced with the wall of hay, flying is the first solution that comes to him. He hasn't flown with passengers since he came here, however - and without his magic to nullify gravity, it can get messy.

So he will turn to you first, a thoughtful expression upon his demeanour. ]

Do you have any ideas?

wildcard;

[ ooc: throw me anything and I'll roll w it! Alternatively you can ping me at eonflamewing. ]

0

[endoftherepublic]

[At LL's approach, Hux glances away from the obstacle course and up towards him. He's been out here just watching for half an hour now, and at first he only arches an eyebrow in response to the query.]

Hardly. [dryly and sprinkled with just a bit of sarcasm, there]

[accordance]

[ The sarcasm is noted but not commented on, merely filed away for later investigation. ]

And why is that?

[endoftherepublic]

Because that is not my purpose here today. [he waves an indicating hand at the obstacle course] At this stage, I can learn far more by observation.

[accordance]

[ That's something he generally subscribes to. ]

What is it that you wish to learn, then?

[endoftherepublic]

The strengths and weaknesses of the Heroes as a group. Where we need to improve most. Who is more skilled in certain areas than others. [He glances back at said obstacle course] We do not yet function well as a cohesive fighting unit.

5

[topkong]

... wait, you don't have any?

[ Lord Light seems like the kind of guy who would probably have a clue compared to Wukong, who has been intently studying the wall of hay bales. Yeah, he could probably scale it with no problem, but he doesn't want to leave this man hanging. Teamwork and all. ]

Well, that depends. Think you're light enough to be tossed up there?

[ He's not going to underestimate someone's weight. Not saying that LL is heavy, but hey... he was stronger home than he is here. ]

[accordance]

I do have an idea. I wished to see your opinion first.

[ He's quick to correct that. Seeing Wukong's dexterity, he had firmer confidence that the other would be able to climb, but he had to make sure. ]

I believe I am, but we need not do that. [ He blinks, and in an instant his grey eyes flash gold and a pair of white wings burst forth from his back. ] I can fly. If you can get over as well, this should be no problem.

[topkong]

[ And he's pretty proud of his idea, especially because it's a very easy way to cross a wall of hay? He once learned that the simplest method was usually the best method, so why not just use his strength and then scale it afterward? ]

Oh, what the...

[ With some exasperation in his tone, Wukong puts a hand on his head. Seriously? Angels here, too? ]

C'mon, isn't this cheating? Are you going to seriously just go over it like that?

[ It's like, hey! Why not just burn it all down instead... where is the showmanship? The honor? The respect toward the coursemaker? ]

[accordance]

It's not cheating to use what is available to you.

[ He was going to offer to carry Wukong if the other didn't climb across himself. ]

How about it?

[topkong]

Can't look a gift horse in the mouth, so... sure. Just don't drop me.

[ Wukong has to swallow his pride for a moment. Though he would be able to scale the impressive 'mountain', why expend energy if he doesn't have to? That way, if anything were to happen after going over it, he'd be able to do whatever else the obstacle course asked of him. ]

So should I just climb on your back or will you carry me bridal style?

[ Ha, being princess carried... wait. ]

1

[interchained]

[Gilbert still can't believe that he survived the ordeal, even though it might have been the most graceless attempt in the history of Blanc—actually, he even once managed to almost fall down because of his own, well, stupidity. He just shouldn't have looked down at the animals treating themselves to fish scattered all over the cushions. While seagulls weren't a problem...cats were. Cats were a huge problem, actually.

Nevertheless, he's finally made it to the end of the bridge (one glimpse at the cats down there actually made him pick up his speed, too) and it's his turn to hold it for Lord Light so he can cross it safely and he does just that, tightening the grip before his partner takes his first step.

Why is he standing, though...he should be moving forward, shouldn't he?]

Is something wrong?

[The thought that he might ask him to take a step back, cross the bridge again and check on him makes him shiver. Please, everything but that.]

[accordance]

[ GIlbert's response towards the cats is noted, but Lord Light doesn't know much about it to be able to conclude anything. Perhaps the man just had a fear of heights.

At the other's question, he lifts his gaze to make eye contact for a moment before returning his attention to the bridge. ]

I am calculating. Please give me a moment.

[ With that, he crouches down and places a hand on the bridge, pulling it once or twice to ascertain the rope tension. Gilbert had crossed fine, but they move differently and are probably of different weight as well.

This might take a while. ]

[interchained]

Calculating what...?

[This surely is beyond Gilbert's comprehension, but he doesn't comment on that...for now, at least. However, he's definitely remaining on his guard—when Lord Light crouches down, he quickly tightens the grip and watches the other pull the rope.]

Well, I don't mean to interrupt you on whatever you're doing but I think there are more obstacles awaiting us, so...?

[accordance]

The tension of the rope. It requires precision.

[ Luckily, he doesn't take too long. After about ten seconds, he will start making his way across, one rung at a time. While he's moving, he's registering all the minute compositions of it, determining the center of gravity after each movement.

The good thing is that he doesn't fall. The bad thing is... well. He's half the speed of Gilbert's. He's sped himself up a little at the other's insistence, but it's still not all that fast.

Maybe he needs a bit more prodding? ]

Wildcard

[endoftherepublic]

[Hux is a massive party pooper so instead of participating he'll be...watching?? He's grabbed one of the chairs and is sitting at the edge of the courtyard, watching the people who are actually going through the obstacle course rather casually. Or at least, his scrutiny seems casual. He's got an ankle propped up on the opposite knee, and there's a book, blank, open on his shin. Occasionally he makes a note in it. Under his chair lays a ginger cat, napping in the shade.

He doesn't seem particularly inclined to participate, himself...but that certainly doesn't stop him from smirking slightly if one of the Heroes takes a fall.]

I apologize in advance. Hello...

[glorifiedtrash]

[Zelos has a goal. This goal involves bothhering everyone Hux cause raisins. So please just ignore this redhead strolling up from behind and liberally slapping Hux on the back in an overally friendly manner!]

Feeling your age, old man? No need to be shy! There's some good kids out there. They'll take the burden of you~.

[Nice to meet you bro.]

pls never apologize this is wonderful

[endoftherepublic]

[Hux jolts with the slap on his back, that simple gesture more than enough to put a scowl on his face. He jerks the arm closest to Zelos, doing his best to wave him away. That scowl only deepens at the words that follow.]

Hardly. Your presumptions about my age or my disposition towards social engagement are simple-minded and idiotic.

[he sniffs, settling back in his chair with a haughty air] I find it far more useful to observe the strengths and weaknesses of others.

omg HUX... What a treasure LMAO

[glorifiedtrash]

[Well. At least this guy is nothing, but honest. Rather than be waved off Zelos has no problem at all putting an hand to his chin and regarding Hux with intense scrutiny.]

...So your dayjob is personal trainer?

[Clearly. Clearly that's what's going on here!!!]

[endoftherepublic]

[...why does he seem to attract the idiots.

Or, rather, why are they so plentiful here???? The corner's of Hux's mouth tightens in annoyance]

No. I am the commander of an army. And if I am going to be forced to be a part of this one, it is tactically sound for me to know its strengths and weaknesses.

OTA

[mithrarin]

1.

[Dust, stubborn, entered the course without hesitation -- which means people are likely to come across him stepping carefully up the ladder. He has a surprisingly good sense of balance, which has gotten him halfway, but the whole contraption is trembling beneath him as he crouches to keep his center of gravity low.]

[In one hand, a rising ball of wind slowly expands as he focuses on casting a spell. Dust has a plan...]

2.

[All right. He gets it. This is another ridiculous pairing exercise. Fine. The Sen-Mithrarin kneels at the top of the slide, glancing up.]

Just let me know when you're ready to cast that spell.

3.

[...with a chef's hat on and a grilling fork in his hand, Dust is officially waaaay out of his element. (The more so because the chef's hat is perched on top of his own hat.) He pokes the grilling meat with the fork as if that would solve everything, and since it doesn't, he looks rather pathetic. Or as pathetic as anyone with hidden eyes could look.]

I -- think it's almost done?

[He doesn't know how to beg for some help, but it comes through in his voice nonetheless...]

5.

[With a graceful flip, Dust leaps into the air, then jams his sword in about seven feet up. One hand still on the hilt, he lets himself fall from above it to below, using his momentum to swing himself up into an arc that lands him lightly on the top of the hay wall.]

[Smiling, he makes a little come-on gesture with his hand.] Grab my sword and I'll get you up here. Then we're done.

3

[moreasleep]

You think? [Did Dust want food poisoning?] Do you think you like diarrhoea and vomit?

[It was saddening how much Rory expected this to happen. First, it was Vivienne, now Dust. That was why he was here, to prevent such a disaster. He did not know why, when they clearly knew nothing about cooking, they decided to cook for everyone rather than practise on just themselves.

He gave Dust a knife.]

Check the inside. Is it raw? [He then gave him a meat thermometer.] Or check the temperature. [Get ready, Dust, because Rory then went on to explain all the internal temperatures pork, beef, and chicken needed to be at to be considered safe.]

[mithrarin]

Back in Falana I ate chicken that came out of walls for some reason. I'm not sure I'm the right person to judge.

[Still, Dust listens to the temperature explanation, though he has to hold up a hand midway through --] Wait a minute, what about rare and medium meat?

[moreasleep]

[Chicken that came out of walls? Actually, no, he did not want to know. When Dust interrupted his lecture, he looked as if he wanted to take that hand and grill it with the rest of the meat.]

As long as you cook the outside of steak to temperature, it'll be okay. [He emphasised.] You only do that with steak. Other meats and ground beef need to be at temperature on the inside.

[mithrarin]

All right, but... why is that? [It helps him if he knows reasons!]