Why do you humans need to get in water like this. There's no point.
[And she jumps in, uniform and all.
What happens next is literally indescribable. I can't describe nor explain how she's managing to float in the water and propel herself. Sora just recalls how, generally speaking, humans swim, so she flails her limbs a manner emulating that and by sheer coincidence the way she does it turns out to be productive and fruitful. There she goes, swimming in the water, unable to focus on anything except """""swimming""""]
[ before scien can turn his head, the automaton rushes him and grapples the shrimp-backed young man, arms underneath his. he is forced to stand straight, his spine realigned. ]
A straight back is a friendly back!
[ there's not much that can be said other than sora is a natural talent. she belongs in the water. what's her species again? doesn't matter. may as well be fish. more over, sidon, new king of the ocean, etc. etc. what matters is she will finish the four laps successfully. hooray! once she has, the water goes still again. easy for her to exit. sora now has the status condition wet. ]
ConGRATULA-tions! You have passed the challenge! Yay! Yay! Yay!
[ as nero fails to fly and succeeds in smacking the hard flooring, he may reflect on why he made sora, who didn't know how to swim, swim. take -5 falling damage. ]
[what the ever loving fuck. he's never been this manhandled all his life. it probably cracks uncomfortably when he's forced to stand straight, but mostly he's hilariously befuddled at this. how far this god has fallen]
[Sora comes out of the pool, breathing heavily because she craves air. She's not meant to be amphibian, clearly enough, so after that she goes, sopping wet, to watch her comrades in misfortune tackle their own challenges.
You know what, since she's not busy right now suffering, she looks around. There had to be kind of a voice before, no? Any hint of who was it?]
[ Nero lays on the floor for a second longer and considers the fact he drowned last weekend.
With some effort (and with some ouchies) he begins to climb up the rope (15)! Maybe he got a better hold of it this time. Perhaps spite fuels him. (It's probably the spite.) ]
[ as quickly as he was accosted, scien is left bereft as the mannequin retakes its original position. ]
Let's try again!
[ sora, master of the ocean, has time to look around and see what stranger called out before. and it's an edgy tiefling teen, grey-skinned with short and choppy periwinkle hair. his spaded tail swishes behind him. the uniform he wears matches nero's and scien's. he wears slippers, no branded socks (rebellion?). after meeting her gaze, he waves, sheepish.
spite fuels nero like it does all queers. he makes it to the top of the rope where that itsy bitsy bell awaits. takes but a finger to make it ding, and then he may safely return to ground, sweet, ground. he is appropriately congratulated. ]
ConGRATULA-tions! You have passed the challenge! Yay! Yay! Yay!
[to SAVE US from ANOTHER 9, scien is just going to irritably NOT agree to this test (i'm so sorry sora and nero) because he's irritated at this mannequin for messing with his spine. he's moving to cross the distance between them with the purpose of an all too arrogant teenager]
Try this, you faulty piece of machinery.
[PLAY NICE (he won't)
he's truly going to try to dismantle it to force a pass (and if failure comes he will be forced to roll for dex again and maybe won't get another 9)]
[You should have swam, Scien, the dice say it's real easy to do even when you're a total beginner.
Seeing that tiefling, Sora decides to engage in conversation]
We did start them. So far it hasn't been worth it.
[This person doesn't seem familiar...perhaps to Nodd he would ring a bell? But oh well, Sora decides to watch out in case it seems there's danger of snitching. Don't be a narc, edgy tiefling, we're on the run]
Nero, whose social skills aren't great either, will leave Sora to the tiefling and go towards the banner that turned them away. Does it say the same sorts of things as the first time they approached? ]
[ to review, sciene rolled a 13 (incl. bonuses) on the backend for reprogramming a clockwork mannequin teacher from a different universe. so, the end goal isn't exactly met, however, you do break it.
the other mannequins turn to look at their fallen comrade. there is a moment of mass consideration. then, the swim check bot offers: ]
It appears we have had a malfunction. Posture checks impossible. Student...... BROfiise..... report to the dean's office after today's classes. You may proceed to seeing if you're ready!
[ the tiefling holds up his hands in a gesture of mild surrender--see, empty palms. ]
You're Elonine's roommies, right? From before the...
[ he glances at one of the mannequins. ]
... terrible tragedy? I'm just here to help you out.
[ checking the banner, nero sees that Rope Climb and Swim Check are faded and struck-out. the Posture option is red. ]
scien will raise a brow, defiant. he crosses his arms like a truly stubborn teenager with the arrogance of a former deity. so not unlike most shitty teenage boys.]
If I'm ready... On to the next, then.
[as if he didn't fuck up the robot!! but he'll go to leave then, and head to reunite with the others. he is unrepentant even though he absolutely just broke a bot]
Yes, we are. Being in that room has become very awkward.
[The terrible tragedy, huh. Looks like Nodd, or...Elonine, as he used to be known as, was esteemed around here. Nice, Nodd]
Sure. We're going to need all the help we can get. How will you do it?
[Inwardly she's not trusting because, well, chances are some students will be told to aid in capturing these three runaways. Anything that sounds like they're going to be led away or they're being stalled will get her suspicions up right away, really]
[ the mannequins are honed in on scien, wary of this troublesome student. ]
Yeah, I'm sure it has. Look, it's better if we talk without an audience--just pass Are You Ready? and we can chat in the stairwell.
[ Are You Ready? is positioned in front of a wide door with no visible method of opening. does it slide? does it disappear? hard to say without finishing your assigned skills challenge.
to nero's question: ]
Yeah, you'll be fine since there's still three of you. Brofiise has to go to the dean now, but that might not be an issue if we get you all what you really want.
[he is sooooo troublesome. is he being herded to wherever the dean's office is? is he heading toward the are you ready sign? regardless, he'll go with wherever the mannequins usher him off to just because he's curious about this fucked up lil place... but he doesn't look sorry about being a little shit]
[It's a plan as good as any. After reuniting with Scien in front of the door, she comments to him everything their new tiefling acquaintance said, since the talk began while Scien was having posture troubles, and whispers under her breath to Scien and Nero:]
Call me paranoid but I think we'd do well in having another plan in case this one turns sour.
[Hostile territory and not a single reason to believe anyone they see in this school to have their best interests at heart.
But oh well, that's a bridge to cross when we get there. First we have the Are You Ready section to overcome. She tests it a little by pushing with a hand, to see if despite Scien destroying mannequins they still can get through it]
[They have to get out of here one way or another... probably. A few extra plans would be good, but that needs more information than they currently have. Breakouts are so much easier when he does the planning in advance instead of just showing up somewhere.
[ they're free to enter the section, although the large, mysterious door will not move at all if pushed. the mannequin for this final skills challenge was the first one that spoke to you. it waits for you to finish pushing things. very polite. you could do well to learn from its example, naughty children. ]
As you know, the Are You Ready? challenge is a multiple choice! You must all agree on the same answer to submit. You will be given five questions!
[ nothing happens for an uncomfortable amount of time. perhaps this is the test? maybe breaking one mannequin broke them all? is this automaton about to become violent in turn?
no. it's just loading. we may all relax. ]
Question ONE! It is Masquerade and you have been invited to a party of high standing. Your mask is--
a: duck b: sister weaver c: swan d: jester
[ unnamed part-demon boy lingers in the background. ]
scien doesn't even know where to start with this. obscure science facts? he could ace it. unsolved mysteries of the universe? miracles that could only be bestowed by god himself? easy. he could have the whole quiz done in seconds.
but what is this.]
... what is a Sister Weaver.
My vote is jester, since even they are in the presence of the royalty, or a swan for some obscure commentary on useless beauty.
[ unnamed tiefling boy cocks his head, surprise at the question fairly obvious. ]
She's a goddess? Like, from the pantheon.
[ duh. how could you have forgotten something like that? ]
But you're fine, anyway. Just be careful about what you say, the grading system is sensitive--
CORRECT!
[ the mannequin lifts both of its arms. congratulations!! ]
The swan is the best choice!
QUESTION TWoo. You have spilled expensive wine oon a rug you find out is an ancient family heirloom of your host. Do you:
a: leave immediately b: ask to learn more about your host's family history c: call the constable on yourself d: pour wine on everything else so it will match
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ 9!!!!! i realized belatedly how funny it is for scien to have the posture challenge when he's horizontal so often i hope he gets his ass kicked
but also who is talking, he's looking]
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Sora sees the churning water and just...sighs]
Why do you humans need to get in water like this. There's no point.
[And she jumps in, uniform and all.
What happens next is literally indescribable. I can't describe nor explain how she's managing to float in the water and propel herself. Sora just recalls how, generally speaking, humans swim, so she flails her limbs a manner emulating that and by sheer coincidence the way she does it turns out to be productive and fruitful. There she goes, swimming in the water, unable to focus on anything except """""swimming""""]
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Nero did not get any kind of solid hold on the rope before he fell from it, dropping straight onto his back.
Wizards don't raise their strength score.
Idiot. ]
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A straight back is a friendly back!
[ there's not much that can be said other than sora is a natural talent. she belongs in the water. what's her species again? doesn't matter. may as well be fish. more over, sidon, new king of the ocean, etc. etc. what matters is she will finish the four laps successfully. hooray! once she has, the water goes still again. easy for her to exit. sora now has the status condition wet. ]
ConGRATULA-tions! You have passed the challenge! Yay! Yay! Yay!
[ as nero fails to fly and succeeds in smacking the hard flooring, he may reflect on why he made sora, who didn't know how to swim, swim. take -5 falling damage. ]
You should try again! I believe in you!
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You know what, since she's not busy right now suffering, she looks around. There had to be kind of a voice before, no? Any hint of who was it?]
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With some effort (and with some ouchies) he begins to climb up the rope (15)! Maybe he got a better hold of it this time. Perhaps spite fuels him. (It's probably the spite.) ]
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Let's try again!
[ sora, master of the ocean, has time to look around and see what stranger called out before. and it's an edgy tiefling teen, grey-skinned with short and choppy periwinkle hair. his spaded tail swishes behind him. the uniform he wears matches nero's and scien's. he wears slippers, no branded socks (rebellion?). after meeting her gaze, he waves, sheepish.
spite fuels nero like it does all queers. he makes it to the top of the rope where that itsy bitsy bell awaits. takes but a finger to make it ding, and then he may safely return to ground, sweet, ground. he is appropriately congratulated. ]
ConGRATULA-tions! You have passed the challenge! Yay! Yay! Yay!
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Try this, you faulty piece of machinery.
[PLAY NICE (he won't)
he's truly going to try to dismantle it to force a pass (and if failure comes he will be forced to roll for dex again and maybe won't get another 9)]
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Seeing that tiefling, Sora decides to engage in conversation]
We did start them. So far it hasn't been worth it.
[This person doesn't seem familiar...perhaps to Nodd he would ring a bell? But oh well, Sora decides to watch out in case it seems there's danger of snitching. Don't be a narc, edgy tiefling, we're on the run]
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Nero, whose social skills aren't great either, will leave Sora to the tiefling and go towards the banner that turned them away. Does it say the same sorts of things as the first time they approached? ]
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the other mannequins turn to look at their fallen comrade. there is a moment of mass consideration. then, the swim check bot offers: ]
It appears we have had a malfunction. Posture checks impossible. Student...... BROfiise..... report to the dean's office after today's classes. You may proceed to seeing if you're ready!
[ the tiefling holds up his hands in a gesture of mild surrender--see, empty palms. ]
You're Elonine's roommies, right? From before the...
[ he glances at one of the mannequins. ]
... terrible tragedy? I'm just here to help you out.
[ checking the banner, nero sees that Rope Climb and Swim Check are faded and struck-out. the Posture option is red. ]
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scien will raise a brow, defiant. he crosses his arms like a truly stubborn teenager with the arrogance of a former deity. so not unlike most shitty teenage boys.]
If I'm ready... On to the next, then.
[as if he didn't fuck up the robot!! but he'll go to leave then, and head to reunite with the others. he is unrepentant even though he absolutely just broke a bot]
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[The terrible tragedy, huh. Looks like Nodd, or...Elonine, as he used to be known as, was esteemed around here. Nice, Nodd]
Sure. We're going to need all the help we can get. How will you do it?
[Inwardly she's not trusting because, well, chances are some students will be told to aid in capturing these three runaways. Anything that sounds like they're going to be led away or they're being stalled will get her suspicions up right away, really]
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Is it gonna let us through like this?
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Yeah, I'm sure it has. Look, it's better if we talk without an audience--just pass Are You Ready? and we can chat in the stairwell.
[ Are You Ready? is positioned in front of a wide door with no visible method of opening. does it slide? does it disappear? hard to say without finishing your assigned skills challenge.
to nero's question: ]
Yeah, you'll be fine since there's still three of you. Brofiise has to go to the dean now, but that might not be an issue if we get you all what you really want.
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Sure. Wait us there, I guess.
[It's a plan as good as any. After reuniting with Scien in front of the door, she comments to him everything their new tiefling acquaintance said, since the talk began while Scien was having posture troubles, and whispers under her breath to Scien and Nero:]
Call me paranoid but I think we'd do well in having another plan in case this one turns sour.
[Hostile territory and not a single reason to believe anyone they see in this school to have their best interests at heart.
But oh well, that's a bridge to cross when we get there. First we have the Are You Ready section to overcome. She tests it a little by pushing with a hand, to see if despite Scien destroying mannequins they still can get through it]
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Nero gives a slight nod in response.
He'll join Sora in pushing the section open.
Does it budge?]
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As you know, the Are You Ready? challenge is a multiple choice! You must all agree on the same answer to submit. You will be given five questions!
[ nothing happens for an uncomfortable amount of time. perhaps this is the test? maybe breaking one mannequin broke them all? is this automaton about to become violent in turn?
no. it's just loading. we may all relax. ]
Question ONE! It is Masquerade and you have been invited to a party of high standing. Your mask is--
a: duck
b: sister weaver
c: swan
d: jester
[ unnamed part-demon boy lingers in the background. ]
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scien doesn't even know where to start with this. obscure science facts? he could ace it. unsolved mysteries of the universe? miracles that could only be bestowed by god himself? easy. he could have the whole quiz done in seconds.
but what is this.]
... what is a Sister Weaver.
My vote is jester, since even they are in the presence of the royalty, or a swan for some obscure commentary on useless beauty.
[thanks scien]
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[Hm. Sora looks back at the STILL UNNAMED TIEFLING BECAUSE WE FORGOT TO ASK THE NAME DANG IT and she attempts to approach to ask:]
Who is the Sister Weaver?
[Is she even allowed to, though? Guess if she's not allowed, her turn here was used in attempting and failing to ask]
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[Maybe it's a goddess, but he really doesn't know anything about that.]
I guess if you're invited "swan" makes the most sense.
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She's a goddess? Like, from the pantheon.
[ duh. how could you have forgotten something like that? ]
But you're fine, anyway. Just be careful about what you say, the grading system is sensitive--
CORRECT!
[ the mannequin lifts both of its arms. congratulations!! ]
The swan is the best choice!
QUESTION TWoo. You have spilled expensive wine oon a rug you find out is an ancient family heirloom of your host. Do you:
a: leave immediately
b: ask to learn more about your host's family history
c: call the constable on yourself
d: pour wine on everything else so it will match
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[but no one should follow scien's example because he absolutely would've done the fourth one because he hates nobles and royals so much]
Are we supposed to be obedient or well-groomed? Perhaps B or C.
[he'll continue to just throw out options and make the other two pick]
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