☆TRACK IIX: BETTER TO PRETEND PT. 2

[interdimanagers]

Who: Royals, Heroes, and Rebels.
What: Hit gameshow series “Fairy Trial” is celebrating one of its anniversaries, and it’s invited you onboard. Check out the OOC post for IC match ups!
When: March 21st.
Where: Sevetop Entertainment’s studio.
Warnings: Mingle log mystery bag.

“Every prince is a fantasy, The witch is inside of me. Her poison will wash away the memory.” ☆BETTER TO PRETEND The day has finally come for Fairy Trial filming to begin! No matter if they’ve arrived by limo or taken the bus, everyone involved gets star treatment as the makeup and costume departments go wild with the models they’ve been given. At least Sevetop has good accomodations. While it’s a chaotic and crowded scene, everyone still manages to fit in the two buildings Sevetop has dedicated for Fairy Trial’s purposes in this area. It’s one of the only points today that anyone will have a chance to everyone else. After all, once everyone involved in a particular challenge is done with, they’re hurried out the door and to their particular destination. Every challenge has a different area it takes place in, after all. For some pair ups, they’ll find themselves merely being escorted to another set on Sevetop’s huge property. Others will find themselves being escorted to some very classy transportation and taken outside of Vista City to special obstacle courses that simply wouldn’t fit anywhere else. On the bright side, once the actual filming is done no matter the location, the crew involved seems to relax considerably. Whether they’ve done great or not, Heroes and Royals are treated to dinner and a change out of their costumes. Good job, everyone. “We kill the lights and put on a show. It's all a lie, but you'd never know. The star will shine, And then it will fall, And you will forget it all.”

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☆THE LINDWORM CHALLENGE

[interdimanagers]

[In another area of Sevetop Entertainment, the Royal is escorted first through the powered down Lindworm funhouse and taken to their throne. There, they’re given a quick rundown of how the control panel works, whether they want to use it to torture their hero or just the speakers.]

[When things are all set… The cameras start rolling, and the Hero enters the scene in front of the fearsome head of the Lindworm.]

Xanxus and Mammon

[avidita]

[Illusionists are all naturally performers at their core, since their skills demand it. So, Mammon feels they're fairly qualified to say that this isn't too bad a setting: a small 'hero' in a vast dim room, a giant 'wyrm' before them with its mouth gaping and eyes glowing red.]

[It will look decent on TV, they suppose.]

[In shoes that fit, they quickly move forward and start to go up the steps inside the Lindworm. As they move on, they tug up the small hood on their capelet until all that's visible is their usual set pout. If this were anyone else, they'd be willing to be relaxed...]

[But even if the Boss can't remember them, Mammon doesn't want to show him any less than Varia quality. (Even if this was never really in their job description...)]

Re: Xanxus and Mammon

[variaboss]

[ He sits on his throne. It's not his throne. He knows that but he still acts as if it's his favorite chair. He yawns loudly and awaits the first views of the poor bastard that's supposed to be rescuing him. Did they not think that he wouldn't get off on a power trip, given the control of the entire fun house he was now lord and master of. ]

[ The small figure. The hooded caplet. That pout. It couldn't be! It just couldn't. He knows that this is being recorded and that he has to keep up the lie he's built around this person. The person that he is certain is his child. ]

[ He stands from his throne and heads over to the little microphone. His deep booming voice will fill the fun house. ]

You have come here
In pursuit of your father the king,
In pursuit of the man who until now has been absent, absent.
Fate has brought you
that we might get to meet at last
In your mind you must have some questions
years of quesitons, completely unanswered
but now you are here with me
Our second chance
Come and find me, find me

[ Phantom of the Opera? Well, he IS dressed the part. ]

[avidita]

[Taunting, jeers. Active hindering. Mammon had expected all those. Singing is a surprise, although not their boss' talent itself, and it's more than enough to make them pause. It's... almost nice, an adjective they'd never use to describe Xanxus of all people. Even with what's been done to him, it seemed as though he was still himself.]

[There's no pausing for long, not considering they're in a tunnel with a constantly shifting floor, and they hurry onwards to a maze of mirrors. For someone used to deception, it's not hard to tell what path to take.]

[Maybe there's something wrong with him. Who knows what happens behind the scenes.]

I'll be there soon. I promise.

[variaboss]

[ He smiles at that. At watching her navigate. She's brilliant. Of course she is. She's his daughter. He hums the tune he had been singing warmly. ]

Past that point is no left turns, you need to backtrack.
I'll fix their games so we can meet at least

[ There's a little laugh. He's so eager to meet her. ]

Not that way. There's a short cut. Let me make it for you. Hold tight. I'm going to alter the house a little. Don't worry though. I won't let this house hurt you.

[ He fiddles with the controls to give Mammon a clear shot to the control/throne room. ]

I have so many questions for you, but I'll wait until we meet. I'll open the control room door for you. So just walk right in.

[avidita]

[Questions...? That should show he remembers, but he's not acting at all how Mammon would expect him to. Still, they're not going to argue with a chance to make this easier. They bolt down the now open path, glad that the heels they've been given aren't insufferable- ]

[And come to stand in the now open doorway of the throneroom.]

I'm here.

[Because saying it face to face instead of over speakers seems to reaffirm something.]

[variaboss]

[ He's about to act even weirder. Because he's been pacing the floor waiting. The second she goes through the doorway, he's right there. Right there. Right there to bend down and hug her. He wants to pick her up and spin her around, but he's already putting her into lots of danger just by hugging her. ]

You are. I can't believe you are. [ He pats her fondly over her hood. ] Does your mother know you're here? Have they been treating you well here? Christ, Avidita, you've grown so big.

[avidita]

[UH]

[THIS]

[THIS IS DEFINITELY A THING, WHAT THE FUCK]

[Mammon's brain stutters for a second until they pick up the name. From his Twitter, the name of the child he thought he had- it'd been an obvious reference, but they hadn't wanted to go in on assumptions. Reaching up, they pat his arm.]

[This... might work out in their advantage. They switch to Italian.]

Everything's fine. Auntie is taking care of things at home.

[Hopefully, Lussuria pings as that, anyway. It's also true. That's how the Varia hierarchy works- the absence of Xanxus and Squalo leaves Lussuria one of the most qualified to make sure nothing falls down around anyone's ears.]

We'll talk when there aren't cameras shoved in our faces, alright, Papa?

[This is so strange to say. Especially since they're far older than him. Oh well.]

[variaboss]

[ He just wants to pick her up. Grab her and run. Get away from Pride and everything and just be with his little girl. It's his chance. His opportunity to be the dad his dad never was. But he can't. He can't because he doesn't want to endanger her. Even if she's the daughter the soon to be 10th. Even if she will one day be the 11th, he can't risk her. Not here.

He grins though when she goes into Italian and he reaches out to ruffle her hood. Of course his baby girl would be so smart and realize people might be listening to them. ]

That's a relief. I know she'll look out for everyone.

[ His smile grows even larger. He gets that look. That soft look that will one day only be reserved for Bester. All because his baby girl called him papa. Goddamn he wants to hug her so much. ]

You're right. After the cameras are off. I mean you just won this. So we can go. I'm sure there's a place we can talk. I'll guy you gelato... You...You like Gelato, right?

[avidita]

[For some reason, they feel like they should apologize to Bester when they get back home...]

[But that's later. For now, they give a nod.]

I do, don't worry.

[Please don't worry, this is already weirding them out. With that, they switch back to English and give a sweeping bow for the cameras.]

I'll escort you now to freedom, king.

[That should satisfy the crew at least a little bit. For now, Mammon starts to guide him out. The sooner they're done with this part of the charade, the better.]

[variaboss]

[ Bester takes apologies in nice expensive meat just like his daddy.

He smiles a lot more at the little bow. He almost tells her that Princesses shouldn't bow. Because she is. She is his princess, his little girl. ]

Thank you so much, noble hero.

[ He'll follow right along behind her, looming. Looming like he's going to be super overprotective. He is. ]

Pearl and Tiger

[balletbattler]

[Pearl has seen beasts bigger and more fearsome than this, so she puts on a brave face when confronted with the Lindworm, but instead of pulling out her weapon and instantly giving herself away, she just waits and studies the head in the moments before it opens. Pearl frowns heavily when the mouth opens, her eyes going wide as she tries to figure out what's happening next, but then she sees that it's a doorway.]

[She hesitates and then steps through into the funhouse.]

Ste - [she catches herself before she actually says his name] - Tiger? I'm...

[God what do these people want from her again? She's supposed to be a hero, nobly dealing with a fake threat rather than a Crystal Gem dealing with a real one. She draws herself up and pronounces:]

Don't be afraid, I'm coming to save you!

[tigermillionaire]

[Steven is full of anxiety. It's one thing, putting on a show when he's on stage - being filmed like this, as part of a reality show, though...this is something else. He feels like he should be selling his Tiger persona more strongly, but he doesn't even know where to start, and when it comes down to it, he doesn't want to be mean to Pearl...which is what Tiger would most likely do.

After being shown the ropes, Tiger spends his time fussing with the bottom of his masculinely cut gown, waiting for things to start. He can hear Pearl through the speakers when she starts to enter, her almost calling him Steven causing his heart to skip a beat.]

Good luck with that!

[He's trying to sound cocky, or teasing, but it's just a little bit hesitant. She has to know he doesn't mean it, right? She knows who Steven is supposed to be.]

[balletbattler]

[Pearl can hear the hesitation in his voice, and she steels herself for the possibility that he's not going to be able to help her through this one. It's okay, she tells herself, he has to keep himself safe. As long as he's doing that, and not actually being malicious for the sake of it, she can excuse anything.]

[Through a small hallway, she opens a door, and finds herself surrounded by... herself. This bigger hallway is lined with mirrors, and she can see at the end the hallway turns a corner and presumably keeps going. The funhouse mirrors show her distorted versions of her own disguise; it's familiar and offputting at the same time, and she takes a moment to make sure the wig is still covering her forehead even though the hologram has taken care of the pearl. After that she starts down the hallway with a determined frown, only to find that the hallway splits after turning the corner.]

[Down one shorter hallway she sees one of the mirrors has a small doorknob on it, and the other turns yet another corner. It can't be that easy... but yet again maybe they're banking on people assuming that.]

Aha! Thought I would miss that? I'll have you out in no ti--

[She opens the door and a loud noise - an loud cackle like a scary clown in a children's cartoon - accompanied by a wall painted with a wide grinning clown face startles her. If gems could have heart attacks...]

Oh, I see this is going to be more challenging than I thought...

[She sheepishly turns around and heads back down the other way, keeping her eyes peeled for anything that might lead her to another door or perhaps the exit.]

[tigermillionaire]

[Steven can clearly see which door is the right one, based on the cameras. He fidgets nervously at the keyboard, unsure of what he should do. What he reallywants to do is to tell her where to go, but it doesn't seem very in character. He's already feeling really overwhelmed with this. Does it even matter if she wins?

Maybe it does. He still doesn't know why she is here. What if it's really important?]

Do you want a clue?

[He asks it over the speakers in a tone that sounds like he's teasing her, but in reality he's trying to figure out what to say. Also, letting her know it's an option.]

[balletbattler]

[Pearl's sure she can figure this out, but she pauses to consider the offer of a clue. The fact that he's offering at all means he might have some information to lead to the exit of this room, but she doesn't want to sacrifice her pride or come off as too familiar with him.]

That would make things go faster!

[It comes out like a suggestion, like she's confident this puzzle can be solved but it'll be quicker with a bit of help. Meanwhile she keeps wandering down the hall of mirrors and watching closely for the telltale doorknobs.]

Eiji and Mai

[maipokerface]

[The longer she waits, the more bored Mai grows. The staff have assured her things will start up shortly and left her to her own devices so she takes the time to practice twirling one of her newfound knives around on a finger and threads it through the others. Okay it's not a very queenly or princess-ly or whatever thing to do but she's bored.

And that's when the funhouse controls begin to light up. She cocks a brow up at them, curious. Did that mean whoever was here to rescue her was outside then? She leans in to take a look at the monitor.]

[candothismuch]

[It is indeed and her rescuer is standing outside of the prop head that made up the Lindworm. At first, seeing the faux snake skin made Eiji freeze and he didn't move an inch. But then he remembered that it wasn't real and he relaxed again. He breathes in deeply.]

Here goes nothing.

[He makes his way up into the prop's mouth and into the maze-like fun house that awaited. So far so good, ophiophobia almost being triggered aside.]

[maipokerface]

[She'd prod him for his hesitation but it doesn't exactly seem fair. She wouldn't be gung ho about crawling in some snake's mouth either after all.

She gives him a moment to get in and get into said maze. That's exactly what it is to begin with, a simplistically short maze but with enough moving rooms to make it just a little challenging.

Mai leans back in her throne and casually glances up at the timer. It's barely under the three minute mark so they've got plenty of time here. With her cheek in one hand and that elbow propped up on one of the throne's arms, she reaches out to give that room rotation button a firm press.

Have fun, Eiji!]

[candothismuch]

[The room sure was spinning all of a sudden. Reflexively, he reaches out to grab something to steady himself as the sudden horizontal force hits him, making him sway a little. Now that the room had moved, the rooms it led to were changing.

Okay, he could deal with this. He just needed to get to one of the other rooms and move on.]

[maipokerface]

[He's a persistent guy, hm? The room may have shifted but he looks determined to find his way yet again.

The next switch moves the walls of this little maze. Corners pop up unexpectedly, walls flatten. She can't exactly control which ones but hey, changing it up ought to be enough.]

[candothismuch]

[Wall changes right after the spinning room? There's a sound of surprise from him when he almost smacks into a wall that suddenly shifted to appear in front of him.]

Wah!

[And now everything was different again. He turns this way and that to see what had changed, his face pensive as he did so. If things kept changing like this it would start to get disorienting. He heads down one of the newly opened ways which led to what looked to be a staircase.]

[maipokerface]

[Mai taps her finger against the control panel, contemplating the screen and switches. In the end she decides to let him go past the stairs unhindered, smiling a little to herself.]

He has to have some encouragement.

[candothismuch]

[Being able to use the stairs without anything suddenly shifting or changing did indeed encourage him. He picks up the pace a little and makes his way down another twisting hall, only stopping when he came to intersections to consider his options and choose one.

It's been a while since the time he first entered in. Inwardly, Eiji can't help but hope he could make it in time even though winning wasn't exactly necessary. If he lost that was fine, though he'd sulk a little when no one was looking.]

[maipokerface]

[The clock is ticking down pretty steadily. Mai takes note of it, hums a little to herself and then leans towards the mic.]

Don't be so slow there, hero, or your damsel in distress may not survive.