Paradisus Perditaque

[stringmods]

Paradisus Perditaque

☢

What: Closing Arena Ceremonies
Where: Aries Arena & Televised
Summary: 1/24/10AC
Warnings: This could get serious...but who knows.

The last week and a half had been, at best, an insane blur of lights, colors, Persona and celebrations.

And while your own victories have been appreciated by the population, you are, after all, Visitors. No playing in the main competition. Not even proper brackets, you were just lucky to be allowed to be IN the tournament as a main show at all! It was a great honor, and you should accept it as such.

That's show business for you.

The main news that had been on everyone's lips was that the longtime champion, Blue Sky Dragoon, had been beaten by his long-time rival, Royal Red Lion for top honors this year. Red Lion (real name Bunrakuken Karube, although they couldn't say that in public due to the new rule this year) had created the biggest upset since the event's creation ten years ago. For him, it was a monumental victory, as it meant he would be, more or less, the hero for the city for the next year. For Blue Sky Dragoon, it meant his reign of five years had finally come to an end.

Needless to say, the second place contestant looked rather bitter as he was ushered into the podium for the main division.

In the end, there had been no interruptions. The entire Games had gone off without a hitch. Your efforts had been appreciated during the course, however, and you were all invited for the final closing ceremonies. Kiyoshi Suou was still on alert, unwilling to relax even a little.

For the most part, closing ceremonies were trivial, and, dare we say, boring. The energy from the tournament had been slowly declining, and by the third national song and a kabuki reenactment of the final battle between Dragoon and Lion, most were trying not to doze off.

And yet...you...as Visitors. There's a strange feeling around you. It's not the lack of energy from the civilians, no.

Something isn't right.

Unfortunately you can't prove that and you can't stop what's going on but...you can try looking around. But you should probably be as discreet as possible, all things considered. While you can't just search the arena during the ceremony, there is still the underbelly of the stadium, athletes you could talk to, policemen on the job...

...it's like trying to finding a needle in a haystack.

[OOC - Alright timeline of events: Tonight is going to be just mingling, assessing the crowd and seeing what you can find. Create closed or open posts, or just watch the show and comment between yourselves. We have some NPCs that can talk with you (anyone who has an NPC, or was given NPC info for this log are free to have them be around), or you can talk amongst yourselves; this is, after all a celebration, although an apparently boring one.

Once this post is done, there will also be a mod post going up with a few additions about what is going to go down tomorrow, and some announcements! Our tentative hour for the main event will be the 24th at 6-7PM EASTERN tomorrow. Be there!]

Comments

[hinoto_ri]

"You heard him, folks, a sport that looks so easy any fool off the street could try it!"

The reporter beams at Sam without acknowledging what he had just implied about the poor abomination kid.

"As gracious sponsors of the Hinoto-Ri Daily News, the Arena, as always, is offering use of its facilities half-off for the next month following the Annual Grand Prix! Come train your talents today, and who knows? Maybe one day, the Daily News will be interviewing you as the grand champ!"

He returns to Sam after this impressively seamless plug.

"Hinoto-Ri looks forward to its rising stars! Any words you'd like to say to the city about yourself; something to remember when you're on the up-and-up?"

[primordial]

Oh, wow. Sam groans under his breath- he's been called much worse, but to say it in such an unsubtle way? His intelligence felt insulted, it really did.

He watches as the reporter does his advertising thing, and just when he thinks it's a get opportunity to slip out, he's once again accosted by the camera.

"M-me??" What, were they going to get his entire life story out of him, was this what it was? "Um...even though I might be a fool..." He takes this moment to shoot a glare at the reporter. "Just remember, appearances are deceiving. I'll show you all! I really will..."

[hinoto_ri]

"Determination and pluck! Yes, for many lacking skill and technique, that's all they bring into the arena as they begin their dueling careers, but determination and pluck may be all you need! In the space of a decade, our Royal Red Lion ascended from the depths of obscurity to become the reigning champion; perhaps we look tonight at the future face of victory!"

Thankfully, he seems to be winding down now.

"Any last words you have for our audience now before we break?"

[primordial]

Goodness, by the time this interview was over, he was going to be thee years older, he knew it. He taps his foot impatiently, and...yes, good, finally, the last question.

He stares at the camera, before letting out a sigh. "Just...do whatever makes you happy. I guess. Personas, fighting...I mean, the world is your oyster, and..." He drifts off awkwardly, staring down at the ground. A lackluster answer to round it off.

Maybe this would teach them next time to not let him have the camera to himself again.