Graded [Ryken City] The Arcane Proving Grounds

[Lulidew]

Orrius

Gwen_Temi Ian Temero


Orrius was leaning back in his seat, almost nodding off as it was just too boring and nothing was happening. Was anything going to even happen? After all, it was an escort mission and if there weren't any bandits around then they just wouldn't have to do anything, right? Just when he was having this exact thought, a loud voice boomed from the back, alerting everyone that they were under attack. Hearing the warning, the boy shot right up in his seat. "Oh crap, did I just jinx it?"

As Malik illuminated the area around them, Orrius eye's widened at the sight of the archers among them. It would be bad if they could nick him with a single arrow while he was busy casting his spell, and he doubt they would just sit back and watch him do his thing. Naomi then suggested for him to take cover within the wagon, to which Orrius obliged, climbing into the wagon without letting any time to lose.

"Unfortunately, I can't cast my spell yet. It's complicated, but I'm counting on the both of you to protect me for a little while longer." Orrius informed Naomi and Tannia. Damn it, if only he had a skill that could allow him to cast spells and move at the same time. This whole ordeal could have been over in an instant, but alas, now all he could do was to wait in vain.

 

[Scarletti]

Ivy Redwood

Novama SoftSmile
​

Ivy was taking a short break from her incessant flute playing when she would notice Malik giving her a quick nod. She whipped her head peering into the darkness outside of their wagon, before noticing strange lights outside. Together with Malik's call, that was when it hit her. They were being attacked! Again! And just when she had stopped playing her flute too!

"Seems like they won't let me enjoy my break..." Ivy sighed as she spoke, picking up her flute once again. Glancing out of her wagon to check on the others, she'd notice Mao standing on top of her wagon trying to... seduce the bandits?! She did a double take at the rash girl, before giving in and deciding to aid her however she could. This time, Ivy would play a sensual, slow tune trying to draw the bandits attention to Mao as much as possible. Hopefully she knew what she was doing and would be fine!

 

[Novama]

Mentions: Voider Eccentric_Undead Gwen_Temi Ian Temero Lulidew Scarletti SoftSmile
OOC: soft skip 1, ian skip 2, fantasy skip 1. another challenge come and went.
Time: afternoon
Weather: warm, dotted with a few scattered clouds
Cooldown:
TLDR: party did their best but the inability to capitalize on turning the tables on the bandits led to a lesser outcome. Jason bugs are all gone. Party is now in Ryken in silver star hq awaiting a meeting they have been allowed to prepare for.
Post Listening:

Ryke - Forest Wilderness

As the discord of battle clashed and clamored around him, Malik watched, a kernel of unease growing within him. He had sounded the alarm, but the response, though swift, had not been as effective as they had hoped. Māo's distraction techniques were surprisingly efficient, but their radiating influence caused unintended ripple effects, distracting their own party and other trial-takers. Jason's bugs, while formidable on their own, were not subtle or powerful enough to divide and conquer. Their insectoid silhouettes were easy targets under Malik's bright illumination, and they were quickly dispatched by the enemy bandits.

The fight became drawn out, a grueling war of attrition against the still vast numbers of bandits. Yet amidst the chaos, Malik held his ground, his resolve never wavering under the brilliant light he cast over the caravan. His light magic was a beacon of hope, highlighting their adversaries while acting as a rallying point for his allies. His team's careful guidance and other efforts steered the wagon safely through the melee, helping to maintain the Silver Star Company wagons as the least damaged in the caravan.

But the cost of the battle was high. Casualties were mounting among the trial-takers, their numbers dwindling as the fight wore on. The air was tinged with a metallic scent, and the moonlit ground was now stained with patches of darkened earth.

Despite the somber mood, there was an element of silver lining. The caravan’s occupants, mostly merchants, were largely spared from the fatal encounters of the night. This was in no small part thanks to the combined efforts of the trial takers, who put their lives on the line to protect the innocent. And though the night was long and fraught with peril, it was still a testament to their ability to work as a team under dire circumstances.

As the fight dragged on into the wee hours of the night, Malik found himself, even in the chaos, feeling a curious sense of pride. They were proving their mettle, standing firm against a sea of foes. Yet, this was merely a stepping stone, a lesson to be learnt. It wasn't enough to shine a light on the darkness. They had to extinguish it, quench it with their combined might, and stand strong against the storm. And so, as the last cries of the bandits echoed in the distance and the first tendrils of dawn began to creep over the horizon, Malik understood. Breaking free of woods, the city of Ryken came into view. It's tall outer walls of stone protecting it from the average monster or bandit assault, its port side allowing for some of the largest variety and quantity of trading imagineable. Their trials were not yet over, but the promise of opportunity and riches beckoned to all.

Ryke - Capital City Ryken

​

The first light of dawn found Malik, along with the rest of the trial-takers, trudging/riding slowly toward Ryken. Battle and trial weary, they cast long shadows in the early morning light. The towering stone walls of Ryken came into view, standing guard over the city with their imposing majesty. Their monolithic presence hinted at the significance of the city beyond, a testament to the wealth, power, and grandeur that resided within.

The city's magnificence spread out before them. A bustling port, airships occasionally dotting the sky, spoke volumes of the city's extraordinary trade. The prestige of the Logia Academy, a renowned educational institution, lay nestled amongst high-ranking nobles, affluent merchant companies, and the Ryke royalty's imposing palace, perched on the city's highest point.

As the battered caravan passed through the city gates, and was met by guards for inspection, the buzz of urban life enveloped them. Malik, along with his companions, was given a newfound appreciation for the civilization after their harrowing past 24hrs. Even through their exhaustion, the city’s vibrancy filled them with a sense of wonder.

Their wagons of the caravan were directed to the headquarters of the Silver Star Company, where they were greeted warmly despite their disheveled appearance. The company's gracious hosts provided refreshments and lodging, a welcomed oasis after the journey and trials they had endured. Malik felt the tension melt away as he settled in, the comfortable surroundings a stark contrast to the perilous path they had just traversed.

The party was informed of their afternoon appointment to report their trials and present the artifact they had secured. Malik took it as a chance to rest and gather his thoughts. This would be an opportunity to showcase their diplomatic skills, their ability to communicate effectively, and their grasp of strategy. They had stood their ground in battle, but now they had to hold their own in a different kind of challenge - that of negotiation and interaction with high-ranking officials.

As he allowed himself to sink into the comfortable bedding, Malik’s mind drifted back to the trials they had overcome. The skirmishes in the forest, the grueling battle with the bandits, and the sheer exertion of the journey all bore lessons to be shared. And so, amidst the grandeur of Ryken, the next stage of their trial was set to begin. Their actions and decisions, their strategies and teamwork, all would come into focus as they stepped into the headquarters of the Silver Star Company. For now, though, sleep was the first order of business, and Malik surrendered to its sweet oblivion, knowing the challenges of tomorrow would require a rested mind.

Malik found himself and his companions in a richly decorated waiting room, the Silver Star Company's grandeur evident in every piece of furniture, each ornate wall hanging. A feeling of anticipation settled heavily in the air, growing with every tick of the opulent clock adorning one wall. The artifact they'd so painstakingly acquired lay wrapped in cloth, sitting innocently on a table at the room's center. It held an unspoken promise of their trials and tribulations, a physical embodiment of their perseverance and teamwork.

After the arduous journey and the night of rest, Malik hardly looked like the same fae who had emerged from the forest. He had spent the morning grooming himself, washing away the grime of the road. His once unkempt hair now lay neatly combed. He wore a simple yet clean set of clothes borrowed from the company's wardrobes, befitting the occasion. He felt lighter, refreshed, and ready to face the next challenge.

His eyes, once clouded with fatigue, now held a spark of determination. He looked around at his companions, hoping to see mirrored in them the same resolve that coursed through his veins. This was not the battlefield they were accustomed to, but a challenge nonetheless. It was not a battle of swords and magic, but of words and diplomacy.

As he waited, Malik's mind busied itself with thoughts of the meeting. He pondered how best to present their trials, to effectively convey their strategies and teamwork. He understood the importance of this meeting. This was their opportunity to demonstrate the breadth of their capabilities, to prove they were more than just warriors.

The room fell quiet, the soft ticking of the clock the only sound breaking the silence. The minutes seemed to stretch, the wait growing increasingly heavy. But Malik remained patient, his gaze fixed on the door that would soon open to their next challenge. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what was to come. This was their moment, their chance to prove themselves not only as fighters but as diplomats, as potential students of the prestigious Logia Academy. And Malik was ready to seize it.

​

 

[Gwen_Temi]

Naomi Plumfoot​

Novama Eccentric_Undead SoftSmile Scarletti Ian Temero Voider Lulidew


Naomi felt extraordinarily calm sitting there in that waiting room. In her previous life, things like these would’ve left her a nervous wreck just waiting to be judged by a bunch in a desperate attempt to convince them to take a chance on her. But never before had an interview been preceded by two life-threatening encounters. Compared to those?

There wasn’t really much of anything to be afraid of here.

“I’m gonna be honest with you guys. Most of the things that I have to say to these Silver Star Company guys are the exact same things that I said to you all before we joined the caravan,” Naomi shrugged with a laugh, “Clearly it didn't go as I’d predicted, but it is what it is. We didn’t save everyone, but we got every wagon and most of the merchants here in one piece. That's gotta count for something. So um…”

She glanced around the room and tried to meet eyes with everyone. To get a sense of how they’d been feeling. A light nudge on Orrius’ arm with her elbow.

“If anyone wants to get anything off of their chest, now’s the time. I mean, I know I haven’t been perfect out there. Best to air it all out before we’re speaking to the officials, you know?”

Or, you know, before it turned to poison.

 

[SoftSmile]

Zuì Dàmāo
Novama Gwen_Temi Eccentric_Undead Scarletti Ian Temero Voider Lulidew
​

Māo stayed on the top of the caravan, cringing when some of her allies got distracted by her beauty. “Oops.” She laughs to herself, trying to ignore the carnage around her.

They finally entered the town and she was ecstatic to get to a bar. Unlike her companions, Māo was barely injured, her hair still in place and not a scratch on her body. Well, she got a splinter in her hand that left a small mark and it really hurt when she pulled it out so that should count.

She spent her entire downtime drinking, talking to any decent looking man, convincing them to buy her a drink or three before waving them off. Her flask was fully refilled with an entire barrel of whiskey, the heavy weight of it making her hip hurt.

The pure weight of the meeting never really dawned on Māo, as she kept day drinking and wore the same revealing clothing she always had on. Bells and all. Standing with the group, Naomi speaks and Māo feels another pang of guilt deep in her heart.

“Yes, sweetheart. I just want to say I feel terrible for not helping with the beetle. Sorry, darlings.” She said, her ears flattening in sadness. She really didn’t want to get hurt and ruin her beautiful figure or worse–Her face! But that wasn’t an excuse to stand-by.

 

[Voider]

Glacier​

Interactions: Naomi ( Gwen_Temi )​

---

Glacier laid on the floor of the room, his body as still as a statue, yet his mind contemplating the recent events.

While it was not exactly an ideal outcome, they had managed to escort the caravan to the city. Afterward, Glacier simply rested on the bed provided to him by the company, seeing as he couldn't consume any of the food and drink offered. Combining the unease of his still visible cracks, the combat of the last couple days, and the reminder that any culinary delights were now unreachable to him, he was not in the best mood; though his current circumstances were far better than aimlessly travelling the region, like he had been doing in the previous weeks, which he was of course grateful for.

Glacier's thoughts were interrupted and his ears slightly perked up as conversation began, though he didn't have any other visible reaction. He decided to add his thoughts on the matter, in response to Naomi's comment. "I utilized the extent of my capabilities to assist the group... as I am sure all of us did." Perhaps the latter was not entirely true, but it was close enough, and he felt that being even somewhat antagonistic was completely unnecessary. "Whoever we are to meet with should at minimum recognize this... that is, if they are not unreasonable."

 

[Ian Temero]

Tannia Duellona​

Character Grade - D
HP: 4/4

Actions:

1. N/A

Interactions: Voider , Eccentric_Undead
Mentions: Everyone else

Tannia was sitting off to the side, head turned towards a window and the foot traffic below, and fingers playing with a large coin. She had traded her armor for a simple set of clothes, one of the few not peppered with singe marks, and without her steel trappings the scars that covered her arm were now in full view, hinting at the many tales of battles from her previous life.

Even as she watched the outside world her ears were tuned in on the conversation that had begun. Naomie painting things in a positive light, Glacier defending his attempts at action, and Zui apologizing for her lack there of. As the fox finished talking, Tannia scoffed. "Unreasonable, huh?" she commented, waiting a moment before turning to look at the group. "This isn't some kind of school test. This is a challenge, one that they have no reason to be merciful about. They won't care if we did our best, they're looking for results. And no, not all of us did do our best. If I were the organizer, this team would go no further."

Tannia let that sink in for a moment before looking straight at Jason. "And you..." She growled. "The hell were you thinking? That beetle was trying to kill us! Your little stunt prolonged the fight and endangered all of us! I don't care how much you like bugs, the next time you turn your forces against your allies I will consider you an enemy and remove your threat myself!"

Keeping eye contact with the bug tamer, Tannia leaned forward in her seat. "Do I make myself clear?"

 

[Scarletti]

Ivy Redwood

Ian Temero Novama SoftSmile Voider Gwen_Temi Lulidew

​

Ivy was seated with the rest, waiting for their interview in awkward silence. She was still thinking back at the battle, and how weak she currently was. Throughout every battle, as she could do was to play her flute, but did she really help much by doing just that? She shook her head, her shortcomings becoming awfully clear to her. But just who in the world was the stranger who had invited her to participate in this trial in the first place? She wasn't even known for being a mage, but rather a bard and a musician! She never had the desire to become stronger; not until now that is.

As for this upcoming interview, the girl wouldn't worry too much about it. Even if she did end up failing somehow, she could always return to busking out in the streets, not a big deal. The most important thing to her was to keep moving forward, regardless of what life throws at you.

Just as Ivy was deep in thought, Naomi broke the silence, prompting all of them to share their thoughts. She liked Naomi and Glacier's optimism, while it seemed like Tannia would play the role of the pessimist in their group. It was good to have a variety of opinions, but putting a damper on their moods right before the interview wasn't the brightest idea in her opinion. She decided to cut in as Tannia was threatening the insect boy.

"You need to calm down my friend. You may be right - we may not be able to make up for the mistakes we have already committed, and there may be some of us who haven't performed as well as we'd like, but so what? This test isn't over yet. Save your negative speech for after we have failed. Before that, none of you are allowed to give up this early." As she was finishing her speech, she'd turn to address everyone this time with a confident smile. "Let's ace this thingy."

 

[Lulidew]

Orrius

Scarletti Gwen_Temi

The battle had left Orrius feeling weak and helpless as he couldn't help the team seize a decisive victory over the enemies. He thought that at his current level of skill, he could mow down any trash mob that stood in his way. Boy was he wrong, as the bandits were tougher than he had expected. Without his combat prowess, what good was he? As he went to bed that day, he couldn't stop thinking about his failures and inadequacies. Against the guardian beetle too. If he didn't hold back from the start, could he have prevented most of their injuries? If there was anything he had learnt, it was not to be arrogant again. And maybe be less mean to his teammates.

The next day, the party would await their next challenge consisting of an interview. Orrius wasn't sure what to expect, and he sure as hell wasn't well prepared for it. Speaking well and eloquently is one of those skills that the boy hadn't picked up. He was all about combat and being on the battlefield after all. His mind drifted to what possible questions they could possibly come up with, when a slight nudge from Naomi would bring Orrius back to the present. Hearing what she had to say, he wondered if she meant clearing up things with Ivy from before? No no no, he had already settled things by apologizing. What more did she want him to do? The boy took a couple of glances at Ivy, but surely she had already moved on by now. "Hmph... I have nothing much to add on, but I do agree with you Naomi. I think we did a sufficiently decent job out there and if they don't like it, then so be it."

 

[SoftSmile]

Zuì Dàmāo
Novama Ian Temero
​

Māo’s expression turned to one of concern. She began to defend Jason from Tannia. “Sweetie, as much as I hate…bugs…” It sounded like she got sick just saying the words. “There’s no reason to be mean about it.” Pausing for a moment, it looked like she was lost in thought.

“Ugh. Sorry. Your hair is absolutely gorgeous. Ugh. I love it. And with the red orange? It’s perfect. And the cute little ponytail, it is to die for, I swear. Here I thought Malik was the prettiest.” She admired Tannia’s hair for a minute, her compliment genuine. “Anyway. He was just doing what he thought was right. No reason to get angry. It gives you wrinkles, and darling, your perfect face? Wouldn’t look good with wrinkles.”

 

[Eccentric_Undead]

Jason Ithbecka

Interactions: Naomi ( Gwen_Temi ), Glacier ( Voider ), Zuì ( SoftSmile ), Novama , Tannia ( Ian Temero ), Ivy ( Scarletti ), Orrius ( Lulidew )
​

Jason couldn't care less anymore. He was simply going through the motions at this point. He felt so empty. Alone again. Surrounded by people he didn't know or care to know. He missed his bugs. Those sweet little bugs that were the only friends he had anymore. Everything seemed grey and dull. He didn't want this anymore. He just wanted to stop. He wanted his bugs. He had more connection to them than anyone else.

When the random girl threatened him, he didn't bother looking at her. That was until she was finished. From his sitting position, he turned his head. He looked at her with cold and uncaring eyes. Bugs still buzzing around him and a colony of ants now roaming his clothes and skin "You think your idle threats scare me? I don't know any of you, nor do I care to. You act so high and mighty, but you're just a hot headed woman looking for a fight. I didn't want that thing to die. It had a life, just as much as we do." He sighed and turned his head away "Keep your threats to yourself. If the opportunity arose I would do the same thing all over again. Humans have forgotten what being human is about, so of course I would choose the bugs. Stop your idle pratter and let's just finish this."

 

[Voider]

Glacier​

Interactions: Tannia ( Ian Temero )​

---

Glacier slightly lifted his head up at Tannia's comment towards him. "Recognition and satisfaction... they are not the same." He elected to respond more succinctly, in order to clarify his statement without being argumentative.

As the 'conversation' devolved into accusations between Tannia and Jason, with a Ivy and Mao attempting to calm it down, Glacier set his head back down on the floor and silently listened, with the occasional twitch of his tail. There was no need for him to speak further; while each may have their own reasons for doing so, the bickering was just annoying from his perspective.

However, the topic of their recent combat did bring a question to Glacier's mind: what kind of test was this? There was no warning in the invitation stating that he would have to fight, they placed an artifact inside of a giant, enraged insect, sent bandits to attack an actual caravan, and now they would judge if the group was worthy of joining this academy? If this was the standard for whatever civilization he found himself in, then he was apprehensive about anything else he'd encounter.

Perhaps leaving the mountains so soon was a mistake.

 

[Gwen_Temi]

Naomi Plumfoot​

Novama Eccentric_Undead SoftSmile Scarletti Ian Temero Voider Lulidew


Naomi let out a light sigh as she listened to everyone open up and voice their thoughts. She’d have been lying if she said that all of it was pleasant to hear, but she was grateful to everyone for sharing all the same. Some of her partners she agreed with. Others left her with thoughts she felt she needed to share.

She let them all speak their minds and, only when the room fell silent, did she speak once more.

Naomi turned to Tannia.

“I mean, but this is literally a school test though, isn’t it? That’s why we’re here. To get into Logia Academy in Ryken. It doesn’t make much sense not to let us into the academy just because we made mistakes. We’re fighting to become students not professors. What point would there be going to an academy to learn if we were already perfect and knew everything that they had to teach?”

She turned away from Tannia to speak to the group as a whole.

“In my opinion, the worst case scenario isn’t our group making mistakes or even really failing. It’s doing worse- failing worse- than everyone else and forcing the admission officers to fill up every opening in the academy with people who did better than us. What bothers me most is that I have no way of confirming whether or not that worst case scenario has already happened.”

As messed up as it was to say, there was a comfort in knowing that many of the groups didn’t even survive to make it this far. Even if there were groups that had done much better, their absence only really served to help ensure that more spaces remained open for their group to potentially fill. Naomi decided to keep that particular thought to herself, though.

“That’s kinda why I agree with Ivy and Orrius and Glacier. I’m not gonna say that I’m confident that we’ve passed. Cuz we did screw up alot. We did. But since we have no idea whether or not we’re out of the running, I think we should act like we're not. I think that giving up now when we still might have a shot is only going to guarantee that we fail.”

Then, Naomi glanced over at Jason. Out of everyone here, he seemed to be in the most pain, experiencing the most loss, and receiving the most hate out of anyone on the team. And, truthfully, she couldn’t really blame anyone for treating him that way given his behavior. Personally, she really couldn’t have cared less about insects, but she very much wanted into this school. Jason was one of her partners and that’s just the way things were. So, if she was gonna be in a team that depended on him, then she was gonna make an effort to get to know him and work with him.

“Hey, Jason. Can I ask what you mean by that? That humans have forgotten ‘what being human is about’. What do you mean by that?”

Maybe he’d speak. Maybe he was done with the conversation. Naomi would at least give him an opportunity to share his mind with the hopes that maybe something would come of it. But, it was up to him whether or not he wanted to take it.

 

[Novama]

Mentions: Voider Eccentric_Undead Gwen_Temi Ian Temero Lulidew Scarletti SoftSmile
OOC: soft skip 1, ian skip 2, fantasy skip 1. another challenge come and went.
Time: afternoon
Weather: warm, dotted with a few scattered clouds
Cooldown:
TLDR: party continued to discuss as their meeting time drew near
Post Listening:

Ryken - Silver Star Trading Company HQ - Waiting Room

​

Throughout the argument, Malik had been silent, absorbing each word that filled the sterile waiting room. His gaze was steady, not missing the flicker of regret in Māo's eyes, the defensive stance of Tannia, the indifferent coldness of Jason. His own heart throbbed with the undercurrent of tension, the echoes of his own past clashing with the present discord. In a world that had once been steeped in bloodshed and violence, Malik had learned the hard way that violence begot violence, and it was through communication, empathy, and patience that he believed a true resolution could be achieved.

Now, his turn to speak came and he would try to follow after Naomi. He slowly stood, his expression calm yet firm, his violet eyes reflecting the weight of his words before he even spoke them. "There is wisdom and truth in each of your words," he began, his voice steady, cutting through the tension like a knife through butter.

"I've seen my share of disputes, of fights and wars. In my wor....time alive, the conflicts I experienced were often resolved on the battlefield, with sword and shield." He let out a sigh, a faint glimmer of sorrow in his eyes. "But I feel that true resolution, true peace, it doesn't come from a blade's edge. It comes from understanding, from empathy...from seeing the world through another's eyes."

He looked at each of them in turn, his gaze lingering on each face. "Each of us has strengths and weaknesses, each of us has made mistakes. But each of us has also contributed to our success. Naomi, your leadership has guided us. Māo, your spirit has uplifted us. Glacier, your resolve has steadied us. Tannia, your strength has fortified us. Ivy, your music has inspired us. Orrius, your dedication has driven us. And Jason...your love for smallest and simplest of life has humbled us."

A silence filled the room as Malik paused, the tension ebbing away, replaced by a sense of unity. "We must remember," Malik continued, "that we are not enemies, but companions. We are here together, for a common cause. We must focus not on what divides us, but what unites us."

As he finished, the door to the meeting room creaked open, a harbinger of their impending meeting. "Our time draws near, my friends," Malik said, glancing towards the opened door. "Let's stand together, not as individuals, but as a united force. The Silver Star Company needs to see us as we are - diverse, determined, resilient. We are more than the sum of our parts, and we will face whatever lies ahead...together."

​

 

[Lulidew]

Orrius

Gwen_Temi SoftSmile Eccentric_Undead
“Ugh, this is so pointless… Is there really a need to think so much about this?” Orrius grumbled under his breath as he listened to what the others had to say. It seemed like most of them had some grand meaningful speech to give, but the overwhelming positivity was killing him and most of them were agreeing to remain positive anyway.

Orrius thought Jason had a screw loose being a bug lover and all. Like come on, they were just dumb, stupid bugs! They could just go and die for all he cared. Were they even sentient? Didn’t bugs just follow their natural instincts programmed into them? It’s not like they even have emotions of their own or anything. However, seeing how Tannia had already given Jason an earful, Orrius chose to shed a different light on the matter.

“Hey. You. If you wanna resolve things in your own special way, all you gotta do is get stronger.” Orrius paused to let it sink, as if stating the obvious was genius of him. “Get strong enough so that you could have restrained that bug without killing it. Strong enough to justify and take responsibility for your own actions. Strong enough so that no one can stand in your way and tell you you're wrong. The current you is lacking, so we had no choice but to do it the rough way.”

The truth of 'not being strong enough' may be brutal, but Orrius felt it was necessary to point out. The same applied to him too. He always desired for more power, but that was more so to satiate his curiosity of magic.

“And you, put on some clothes already!” Orrius snapped at Mao. He felt it was hard to take her seriously when she was dressed like… that. Like a ****! What would their interviewers even think of her? Did she seriously not consider that? Last thing he wanted was to leave a bad impression because one of their teammates was almost fully nude.

 

[Eccentric_Undead]

Jason Ithbecka

Interactions: Naomi ( Gwen_Temi ), Glacier ( Voider ), Zuì ( SoftSmile ), Novama , Tannia ( Ian Temero ), Ivy ( Scarletti ), Orrius ( Lulidew )
​

Jason didn't want to be here anymore. All of these people were so self-absorbed. Life was lost. They didn't consider it important life, but all life is important. So, when the one he knew as Naomi ask him what he meant by people had forgotten how to be human, his broken eyes looked up at her "What is the one thing that separates us from beasts and animals?" After waiting for a moment he finally spoke "Empathy. Our capacity to feel for other things is what separates us from animals. It's the same for Beastkin. Our ability to look at other things with compassion, that is the greatest gift humanity has ever received and most people ignore it. I fully live in it. Every life, even the smallest ones like insects, is precious. Yet you all forget about it so easily in pursuit of what you want."

He looked towards the young boy that was called Orrius "Strength is not all there is. Clearly you have a lot of growing up to do."

He turned around, not wanting to look at them anymore. None of them understood. No he couldn't blame them. They didn't understand the relationship he had with insects. They didn't understand what he had seen his entire life. Insects were strong, much stronger than their size would show. It was actually amazing. For creatures so strong compared to their size, they still looked out for one another. No colony was complete without every single member. A colony looked out for one another, every person was important to the colony. Humans didn't acknowledge this fact.

 

[Ian Temero]

Tannia Duellona​

Character Grade - D
HP: 4/4

Actions:

1. N/A

Interactions: Gwen_Temi , Eccentric_Undead
Mentions: Everyone else

Tannia wasn't the least bit phased when she was called out for being mean. She certainly had been being harsh and she wasn't expecting anyone to be happy about it. It was a little annoying how idealistic everyone was being, especially Naomie. The girl may have been smart but she was still just a kid, staring at rainbows rather that seeking shelter from the rain. Her interpretation of the nature of this trail was also bothersome. Admission to to the academy may have been part of it, but it was not the sole purpose. If it had been Tannia would not have been there. However there was no need to repeat herself as it would be revealed eventually. There was one misunderstanding she wanted clear though. "I wasn't saying give up." She told her, then to the rest of the group added, "Look at the facts, not your ideals. Don't brush your mistakes aside with a 'I did my best'. Recognize them, accept them, and do better."

Then there was Jason again. It was almost funny how often people assumed her threats to be idle. Somehow the muscles and scars didn't tell them that she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. Explaining that she wasn't bluffing was a waste of time and only served to spur their dismissal, so she'd prove them wrong with her actions. In the bug boy's case that would mean waiting until the conditions were met. When he admitted that he would do it again though she actually considered getting up and knocking his lights right there in the lobby to keep him from endangering the team once more. However, seeing as the rest of the party didn't see how much of a threat he was, she held back since she couldn't afford to be kicked out until she had her prize.

Malik spoke up and Tannia had to fight rolling her eyes. She'd heard these inspirational speeches hundreds of times, heck she'd given her fair share, but they tended to focus to much on the positive and not enough on the negative. It was necessary to raise troop moral, but did little in helping them improve. Malik's was no exception. Plus it seemed to her that he had to stretch for some of those strengths.

Tannia was honestly ready to just let things drop at this point, but when Jason answered Naomie's question about his view on humans, she felt the need to make one last retort. "Funny thing to accuse humans of when in pursuit of what you wanted, you forgot to value not only our lives, but the lives of your own bugs."

"Don't lecture us on the failings of humanity when you are no better." Perhaps it had been a low blow, but having said her fill Tannia turned back to the window, watching the people passing by.

Now she was done.

 

[Gwen_Temi]

Naomi Plumfoot​

Novama Eccentric_Undead SoftSmile Scarletti Ian Temero Voider Lulidew


Despite Tannia’s tone, Naomi couldn’t help but smile when she heard her reply.

“Fair enough.”

It was really all she needed to hear.

It’s true that Naomi had a far more positive outlook on the situation than Tannia but that, in itself, wasn’t a problem. Differences in opinion wouldn’t tear a team apart so long as everyone there had the same goals and a solid reason to work together. Clearly Tannia wanted to pass this exam as much as the rest of them.

But, to that end, Jason was still very much a concern. He seemed to put insects ahead of his own teammates when forced to make a choice. And, given the look on his face, he seemed liable to act with spite when given the chance. Admittedly, though there was some truth in his words, there wasn’t much that Naomi could do to empathize with someone whose worldview was so very different from her own. So, she’d wait for everyone to share their piece before breaking the silence with her own voice.

And she’d throw a ‘Hail Mary’ Jason’s way to see if she could reason with him and do him a kindness.

“I imagine that, if we get accepted into Logia Academy, we’re going to end up doing a whole bunch of quests for the school anyways, right?”

An open question for anyone to answer if they knew better. But, given everything that they had to do just to enter into the academy, it seemed like that was the case.

“So, how about this, Jason? If we get into Logia Academy with your help, then I’ll go on an adventure with you after we’ve gotten settled in. And I’ll do what I can to help you add a few new bugs to your collection. Maybe even get back the ones you lost. Because I understand that they mean a lot to you.”

The group would no doubt notice the phrasing of her words. No “we” nor “us” to be heard in her promise. Naomi spoke only for herself, not for the group. It was the only promise that she could be certain to keep.

“But I’m going to need you to put aside your disdain for us cruel humans for a little while, shape up, help us through this interview, and focus on passing these exams first. Because this means a great deal to me. Does that sound like a fair deal?”

She walked over to him and began to extend a hand before she paused mid motion. After brief, contemplative pause, Naomi nervously sighed and extended her hand the rest of the way for Jason to shake.

“P-please don’t let an insect crawl on me, man.”

 

[Scarletti]

Ivy Redwood
​

Ian Temero

Ivy listened to what everyone had to say. But she still didn’t know what was up with Jason and his bugs. To Jason, they were the ignorant ones that didn’t understand the beauty of such creatures. To everyone else, he was the weirdo who treasured the lives of bugs over his fellow humans. Could he have been a social outcast? That would explain why he liked his bugs over people. People were complex, unpredictable and sometimes even hurtful. Bugs were simple and they wouldn’t say mean things or do mean things to you. Case in point, bugs were like the easy mode when it came to friends, and taking the easy way out was never a good idea.

While she had plenty of opinions swirling in her mind, she kept them to herself seeing as to how no one had been able to speak with him without aggravating him so far. This person didn’t seem like he was open to new ideas, and he’d probably tell her to mind her own business like he did with the others.

She’d nod her head when it came to Naomi and Malik’s speeches, showing that she was paying attention and still awake, although her eyes were half closed by now. At least the majority of them were keeping up the positivity. She’d liked to see that. Ignorance was bliss! Well, in her opinion that is.

And then, the two kids were off bickering once more. Seeing all the anger and tension between Tannia and Jason, Ivy thought a fight might actually break out all of a sudden. The girl seemed like she was just barely holding herself back from punching Jason right in the face. Fortunately, she managed to stop herself before throwing one last mean remark before leaving the scene.

Ivy took out her flute, playing a short, but calming, slow tune as she walked over to Tannia. “Tannia, my friend. Inside of you is a raging storm, but I know just what you need. At times like this, you take a deep breath in.” Ivy took a deep breath in as she spoke. “And out.” Once again, breathing out for demonstration purposes. “Now, why don’t you give it a try?”

While she spoke, she made sure to make use of her [Persuasion] skill. Although it did seem possible to use it on Jason too, but it looked like Naomi was already on to calming him down. And the last thing she wanted was for Tannia to take out her rage on Ivy herself, so she felt like using her skill was mandatory here.

Skills used:
[Performance F]
[Persuasion F]

 

[SoftSmile]

Zuì Dàmāo
Scarletti Gwen_Temi Ian Temero Lulidew Novama ​

“Okay…” Māo said annoyedly when Tannia had completely ignored her, especially when she went out of the way to diffuse the situation. “Bitch.” She said under her breath, crossing her arms. Malik was the prettiest. What the fuck was she thinking? She forgot how much she hated gingers. They always had some superiority or inferiority complex that always got so messy. At least she didn’t have those ugly freckles. In her hypocrisy, she was so focused on Tannia that she didn’t even know Orrius had mentioned her.

Even on the best of days Māo wasn’t exactly one to be swayed by little speeches, especially not when she was angry. She was an emotional thinker. “Malik, dear, you are absolutely gorgeous.” She began, trying to smile through the awkwardness. “And you are very good at fighting but…” She sucks her teeth, trying to find the right words to say. “This isn’t a teen rom com, babe.” Is what left her mouth, out of all the things she could have said.

“Ugh, oh my god.” She groaned at Naomi and Ivy. “Girls. Please. Can we go ahead and go do whatever it is we need to do?” She may or may have not forgotten why they were here. “Plus I have a killer hangover and do not need anymore of this noise.” For some reason, she hadn’t drank anything this morning, which means her headache was even stronger. Something about this being an important thing so she shouldn’t be shitfaced right when she gets there or something like that.

 

[Voider]

Glacier​

Interactions: Malik ( Novama )​

---

Glacier watched as Naomi and Ivy attempted to calm down Jason and Tannia respectively. He hoped that they succeeded, so that significant bitterness wouldn't linger throughout the meeting or any other tests.

He also processed Malik's speech, and while Glacier acknowledged the words meant to bring unity, he questioned the actuality of them. "'My resolve has steadied us'... could you please explain your reasoning for this conclusion? I must admit that truthfully... I am not convinced of those points." He took an even longer than usual pause. "Though I do agree that ideally, we face any challenges together... simply so that we may more likely succeed." He finished.

While awaiting Malik's response, Glacier decided to briefly rise and poke his head into the now slightly ajar door -which he had seen no one open-; after getting a quick glimpse of what was ahead, he laid back down.

 

[Eccentric_Undead]

Jason Ithbecka

Interactions: Naomi ( Gwen_Temi ), Glacier ( Voider ), Zuì ( SoftSmile ), Novama , Tannia ( Ian Temero ), Ivy ( Scarletti ), Orrius ( Lulidew )
​

Jason had honestly started to tune them all out. He wasn't interested in any of them anymore. With that being said, this Naomi was quite interesting. He kept side eyeing her as she spoke, trying to figure her out. He was a lot better with the simple insects. They had set reactions to certain things, humans were a lot more complicated and he just couldn't deal with it. Basic human interaction with something he never quite understood. Nor did he ever try. Generally speaking he thought the human race was pretty much doomed. He always found much more satisfaction in watching bugs than he did others, but this girl was trying. Whether she agreed with him or not, she was legitimately giving a compromise. It was something not many people were willing to do. Most just simply threatened or tried to bully their way into something. That nasty redhead for one. This girl on the other hand was genuinely attempting to understand him or at least keep him satisfied for her own needs. Selfish, yes, but at least she was offering an attempt. Most of the others seemed to understand that he just wasn't wanting to talk to people, a few even coming to his defense a little. Well, maybe this group wasn't entirely hopeless.

Jason turned to Naomi, his scarred left side of the body was on full view. It brought to mind the question of how that happened to him and how he acted as though it wasn't a big deal. He stood there for a moment, simply studying the young girl and looking at her hand. Of course he was a bit worried about the fact that he was covered in insects. Upon closer inspection, if anybody was paying attention, they would notice that these insects weren't acting like insects really. Most of the time they just seem to be scattered around on other people, but if somebody looked close enough, they seemed almost affectionate against his skin. Ants crawling in and out of his clothing and massive scorpion flies flying around him (in picture). He finally broke a little bit of a smile "Sorry, but I can't control the normal insects. It was only my large human sized insects that I could control. However, this was a sign of respect and agreement of my people." With his arms folded in front of him he closed his eyes and gently bowed to her. It was something small, but as he stood up and turned back to look away from everybody, he knew that it meant a great deal to him.

 

[Novama]

Mentions: Voider Eccentric_Undead Gwen_Temi Ian Temero Lulidew Scarletti SoftSmile
OOC: soft skip 1, ian skip 2, fantasy skip 1. A new challenger approaches. How will the scene develop now?
Time: afternoon
Weather: warm, dotted with a few scattered clouds
Cooldown:
TLDR: party continued to discuss while the company ceo waited and listened secretly from the next room before introducing himself and making a proposal to the team.
Post Listening:

Ryken - Silver Star Trading Company HQ - Waiting Room

Once Malik had gathered his thoughts, he turned to his companions. His heart pounded with the stress of the moment, yet he managed to emit a calm and collected demeanor. His eyes held a seriousness, a solidity that seemed to challenge the chaotic energy swirling around him. "It's time to simmer down, everyone. We need to work together, not against each other. Arguments and infighting won't lead us anywhere. We've faced greater challenges before, we can manage this too," Malik stated, his voice steady and clear as he would lend his efforts to Ivy in trying to cool Tannia's mood.

He watched for Tannia's eyes to meet his and they felt like fire to him. Malik felt like her feelings were palpable, almost tangible in the tension-laden room. He expected her to bare an air of defiance, of strength, and challenge the whimsical influences of Ivy. A beat passed and then another. It looked like Tannia had a chance to be affected by Ivy, but it would remain to be seen. [Tannia has a calming affect F being used against her. Might not really matter at this point, but if Tannia wants to keep debating the others on the points, it would need resisted]

Meanwhile, unnoticed by the group, a man of middle age with graying hair and stern features stood by the entrance, eavesdropping on their conversation. His name was Merrick Graveton, the chief executive officer of the Silver Star Trading Company. The lines on his face bore testament to countless years of hard decisions and leadership. His keen eyes evaluated the young adventurers before him, assessing their potential, and pondering their place in his grand scheme.

He had been briefed about their mission for his company, their achievements, and failures. He knew of their potential, their skills which were openly displayed, and weaknesses as he saw them in the report. Based on the reports and the discussion he had just witnessed, Merrick was starting to form a more concrete opinion. Some among the group, he could see, held promise for the future endeavors of his company. The cool-headed Malik, the resilient Tannia; they could be groomed to be valuable assets. Others, however, appeared too volatile, too untrained to be immediately useful.

Merrick let out a thoughtful hum, hidden by the sound of the heated discussions inside the room. It wasn't a question of skills, he knew, but of temperament, professionalism, and the ability to work as part of a team. As he stood there, his mind whirred with thoughts and possibilities, scrutinizing each trial taker, one by one. His decision was made - those who had shown potential would find their place within the Silver Star Trading Company; the others would have to seek their fortune elsewhere.

Merrick took a final look at the group, his gaze lingering on Malik, before he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders before striding to the entrance of the room, pushing the door open wider.

A sudden silence fell came with his commanding figure as it appeared in the doorway. He surveyed the group of trial takers one more time with a discerning gaze, as if seeing them for the first time. His eyes held a certain kind of scrutiny that might make some shift uncomfortably under his gaze. After a moment, he cleared his throat, notable by everyone in the room.

"Good afternoon, everyone," he began, his voice echoing off the walls of the room, "My name is Merrick Graveton, CEO of the Silver Star Trading Company."

"I have been observing you all from a distance and I believe I have a grasp on your capabilities. There are some among you who show promise. Others...not quite there yet. However, I'm here to offer those who are ready an opportunity to join the Silver Star Trading Company after the trials are over. We are expanding, and we need individuals who are capable, who can handle pressure, and work professionally in a team environment."

He paused, letting his words sink in before he continued.

"This is a rare opportunity, my friends. I urge you to think it over. And remember, this is a professional offer. You are free to decline, of course, but I assure you, the benefits of joining us are substantial."

With that, he fell silent, watching the reactions among the group. His sharp gaze landed on Malik and Tannia, a small nod acknowledging their potential. The room filled with a sense of anticipation. The ball was in the trial takers' court.

​

 

[Gwen_Temi]

Naomi Plumfoot​

Novama Eccentric_Undead SoftSmile Scarletti Ian Temero Voider Lulidew

Naomi was happy that Jason has accepted his offer, but her expression signaled more curiosity than anything. Her eyes narrowed as Jason bowed to her. The action itself wasn’t alarming to her, but the comment about it being a sign of respect from his people was. It rang an eerie bell in the back of her mind. In a past life, in another world, there was a small island country full of people who would’ve shared that sentiment.

Huh.

Part of her felt a strong urge to ask him more about that right then and there, but it just wasn’t the time. Maybe it was something she could hold onto and ask him about if they did going on that adventure looking for bugs, of all things. For now, there were more pressing matters to attend to. A man with an heir of importance had just walked into the room.

Mr. Merrick Graveton; the self-proclaimed CEO of the Silver Star Trading Company.

Running into a well-kept man in a suit who’d come to judge them wasn’t surprising at all to Naomi. The fact that he’d offered them all an opportunity to join his company was. And, in any other situation, that might’ve been a pleasant surprise.

She took a long moment to find the best words that she could and used [Academia F] to speak and present herself as professionally as she could. Not as an aspiring trader, but as an aspiring student.

“Good Afternoon, Mr. Graveton. I appreciate the offer, and I’m flattered that you’d make your way over here to speak with us, but I’m afraid that I’ll have to decline. As tempting of an offer as that is, my only goal in taking these trials is to gain admission into Logia Academy. If I had to divide my efforts between your company and my studies at the academy, then neither would receive my best.”

Naomi had no idea whether or not this guy was going to be interviewing the group in a few minutes. And that annoyed her quite a bit. Still, she’d decline his offer as politely as possible and turn her thoughts towards the interview while the others spoke their minds.

Hopefully, if he was to interview them soon, he wouldn’t take the disinterest personally.

 

[SoftSmile]

Zuì Dàmāo
Novama ​

“Oh my god.” Māo said upon seeing Merrick, the smile evident on her face which only grew bigger as he introduced himself. “Oh my god.” He was perfect. Māo physically fanned herself with her hand, trying to calm her thoughts down. She chuckled to herself as he spoke, unable to stop herself from smiling.

“So…You’re the CEO of the entire Silver Star Trading Company? That’s really hot.” Māo bit her lip, looking him up and down before speaking again. “I’d be more than happy to join if it means seeing you again.” She knew her [Seduction E] probably wouldn’t be as impressive to such a man of high standing, but she had to at least try to get into his pants. While the monetary gain might be enormous, her true purpose was she just really just wanted to get freaky with this man.