destinystrings | Paradisus Perditaque

Paradisus Perditaque

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!]

Threaded | Flat

Nick is about as discreet as you can get. All of his monitors are invisible to the naked eye.

Not that it had been easy to recruit all of them. Some of them had very specific conditions they needed fulfilled if they were going to be spending time in the waking world looking for this sort of thing. Others had been more than willing to help out against those Anoli jerks.

Some of them were even "Anoli jerks" themselves in life. Nothing like a final fuck you, he supposes.

He stands casually, trying to look focused on the events at hand, while waiting for some sort of spiritual contact...

Dark Pit hadn't let his bow out of his hands since he arrived at the closing ceremonies. He had been on edge ever since being ushered to his contestant's seat, something making the pit of his stomach churn in irritation. He excused himself as soon as he got the chance, ducking out and looking for a quiet place high up in the stands to watch and observe.

Besides, if he needed to snipe one of the Anoli, it was better if he was as high up and out of the way as possible.

[Nikolai was very glad that the tournament had gone off without a hitch. Unbeknownst to almost everyone, he'd spent it from a vantage point with a sniper rifle, in case any violence occurred from the supposed terrorists. Towards the ends of the ceremonies, though, he'll take a break and stop in to see how things are going on the ground level. He's surprised to find things seeming a bit tense, but he can't seem to put a finger on it. Good thing he at least has his pistol hidden on him, if he can't get back to his rifle in time...

As not to raise any suspicious, he'll casually approach people, and ask an innocent question to see what's up.]

How are the ceremonies going?

Loken stands ready, glowering at the cloud, his armor a dull grey in the various and varied lights of the stadium, watching from a high bleacher where he stands all alone, his foreboding presence scaring the locals off a bit. His techno-artificed eyes are scanning the whole place, though. Thoroughly.

As someone who could tell when things weren't right in a large crowd of people (thank his nation senses for that), Ludwig strongly disliked this feeling of something being off. He folded his arms and gazed out over the crowd, trying to pick out if something strange was happening. He was in something of a foul mood due to this unsettled feeling, and his deep frown gave him an intimidating aura as he loomed over a section of the crowd (well, okay, maybe he didn't loom over all of them). Something had to come up...

Huh. That wasn't so bad, actually, except for that girl who threw her underwear onto the stage. That one case had given him enough of dealing with girl's underwear for ages. But all in all, it was a pretty exciting competition. Apollo, even though he was having a bit of trouble admitting it to himself, actually had a good time. The fights were interesting to watch, even though he still didn't really know much about Personas.

However, something strange was going on. Apollo's bracelet was reacting when he looked a whole bunch of different places. Granted, maybe that was just a side effect of the large crowd, but maybe someone was hiding something... if only there was room to object here!

"Aaaaand welcome back to the Hinoto-Ri Daily News, your favorite post-apocalyptic news network. We provide the information you need to know, rain or shine, demons or Anoli, 25 hours of the day, 7 days of the week. I'm your host, the always easygoing, always ka-ju-a-ru, Tomokazu Tokudome."

The man speaking into the camera takes a moment to flash a blindingly white smile that lasts a good five seconds. Rather a lot of hair-flipping goes on simultaneously.

"We return now to live coverage of our Annual Hinoto-Ri Persona Grand Prix, winding down now into the fourth hour of the closing ceremonies. Our esteemed mayor is rumored to be giving a final speech following this last performance, but don't change that channel when he's done; here at the Daily News, we have exclusive post-Prix interviews with our new champion, Royal Red Lion, and of course, fan-favorite Blue Sky Dragoon. We've been listening to the polls and your voice has been heard - three questions submitted by our Hinoto-Ri viewers will be asked of each of these arena champs, starting with... with, uh."

The reporter squints at his notes for a moment.

"Starting with... a question about that... timeless classic making the rounds, 'The... Ju-nes Invasion'. Hm. Haven't gotten around to reading it myself, but I'm sure our champs will have some scintillating responses for us."

"Now as I'm sure our viewing public is aware, this year's Persona Grand Prix marked the first time that our Visitors have been allowed to participate in the festivities; recognizing concerns from the folks in town about rushing last-minute arrangements, the Grand Prix committee graciously arranged a smaller Visitor's Exhibition Cup. From the sound of it, it was a rousing success; I could hear the screams from the studio. Rumors abound that our Visitors could very well be allowed to participate in the tournament proper at next year's event."

At this point, he suddenly sidesteps in front of someone to put his arm around their shoulders and flash another winsome smile at the camera. Unfortunately, that someone is you.

"Now I have with me here one of our Persona-wielding Visitors themselves - Just say a few words about your experience this week to our viewing audience, will you? Smile!"

The microphone is shoved into your face.

Something's wrong.

It's a gut instinct - a feeling of dread settling in her stomach and anxiety churning in her mind. And if nothing else, Zelda trusts her intuition.

Quietly, she excuses herself from the stands (despite how rude it might be to do so during the closing ceremony) and finds a relatively secluded place to hide out in for a moment. There's a brief flash, barely distinguishable from a reporter's camera, and then the Princess is no more. Her royal image is replaced by an androgynous, cowled figure, and she slips into the shadows like water, searching for the source of her anxiety.

Eventually, she makes her way to the entrance of the place where the competitors were taken before their battles. A few well-thrown Deku Nuts should do the trick for any guards standing nearby, and with any luck, she'll be able to sneak backstage...

Edited 2013-01-24 05:22 (UTC)

[Well, she certainly arrived right in the middle of everything, it feels like. Tournaments and such weren't usually a thing that Rhyme was as interested in, but given that Neku and Shiki were there, she didn't want to spend time sitting in the apartment alone or anything, or just wandering streets.

So she's here, marveling at the crowds. Not that she wasn't used to crowds, but the people here were so diverse, like Shibuya. Especially with all the other Visitors.

There was that edge though. Something wasn't okay. It was just a niggling feeling. Like an itch where she couldn't scratch. But it wasn't going away. If it looks like there's someone nearby who might listen, she'll even point it out.]

Does anybody else feel anything strange?

[It never hurts to be too careful]

[Rune was rocking back and forth in her seat, gnawing nervously on her lip. Something wasn't right here; she could feel it right down in her very soul, and that alone was kind of creepy. She kept turning her head around, half expecting some faceless, mindless creature to lurch up from the crowd and attack any second.]

[...she actually had chills from that.]

M-man, I wish they'd hurry up and either attack or go away already...

[She's not saying it to anyone in particular, but damn if she isn't nervous.]

Misery, at first glance, seems to be stand-offish as usual. There's a different air to here, though, an incredibly alert one. Nothing had happened so far at the tournament of note, so naturally that meant that if anything was going to happen, it'd be around now.

Perfect, really. End things with a bang. She's certain if the Anoli are stupid enough to show up, they'd find it impossible to resist the drama of it all.

She sits, floating slightly above the crowed, glancing around for anything out of place. Tch. She's not sure why she's bothering, really. It's not technically any of her business.

While everyone is being nervous over what this sudden silence before the storm could mean, there does seem to be one person who actually seems to be taking it in stride.

This guy standing near the edge of the crowd, watching the rest of the people pass him...because while everyone is shuddering, he's almost on the verge of smiling.

Even though he should feel antsy about this (and he does), he's enjoying it because finally, finally there was something that he could possibly take advantage of.

People were at their most vulnerable when they were nervous, after all...

Edited 2013-01-24 06:11 (UTC)

"Aah, that was a good show!"

He pauses to stretch, looking perfectly unconcerned. Yes, it does feel weird, and yes, he can only assume the Anoli are getting ready to make their strike, but...

In the end, it has nothing to do with him, right? All he needs to do is make sure he can get out of the place safely. Getting injured here and there in the inevitable ruckus might not be a bad idea - with that kind of proof, he could at least claim he'd tried to do something about it. But he certainly doesn't plan on trying to play the hero.

He already knew better than to even attempt it.

"Shit, this is boring as hell. We've seen this already."

The speaker leans against a wall, arms folded, twirling a guitar pick idly in his hands, and looking supremely bored. He turns to you.

"Besides, nothing compares to the real thing anyway, right?"

Edited 2013-01-24 06:43 (UTC)

[Wow, the sense of foreboding was strong today. the closing ceremonies were... far too simple, going far too well how everything was going like clockwork. The atmosphere reminded her of a time gone by, back when the only worry she had was what was going to become of her and her friends and perhaps the fate of a child her brother-pupil had Chosen.

She couldn't shake it either, as she quietly moved through the crowd upon excusing herself to 'use the restroom'. Really though, she was heading to a place where she could Vanish with ease and begin surveying the crowd out of sight from most who could not see the Strings or sense someone else nearby.

Or at least, she'll try to. Maybe she'll even stop to talk to others if they approach her or she knows them. Still, pay no attention to the participating Visitor with blue hair; she's merely getting a better vantage point so that if something happens, she can summon her Glider and begin sniping from above.]

There's a girl keeping to the shadows, her head down, shoulders hunched, and looking incredibly grateful as she watches the Kabuki reenactment. Those who had been paying attention to the Tournament during the week would recognize her as the White Tiger, who had placed third in the tournament. She was a quiet girl who had seemed uncomfortable being in front of the cameras, awkward, and somehow managing to come out on top of all her matches except the last.

The press, naturally, spun it into her being some kind of idol. The fact she was an orphan had been used to enhance the image of someone who was desperately trying to prove something. Which.... wasn't the case. At all.

"W-Why did I let Kira bully me into this?" she asked no one in particular as an image of herself--quite obviously photoshopped to make her eyes appear large and innocent--appeared behind the Kabuki production, begging Red Lion to defend her honor by defeating Blue Sky Dragoon.

....but hadn't it been Red Lion who'd beaten her in the first place?

Xion had been sticking to Sora like glue ever since his last match was over. She'd been restless enough all throughout the Grand Prix, and now with the closing ceremonies... it felt like she could barely sit still.

Sticking with Sora at least made her feel relatively calmer, even if she did need to stand up and walk around to burn off some of the nervous energy at times. Sticking in groups was just... safer. All things considered. And even though she knew Sora could take care of himself, she just... she wanted to make sure he stayed safe. And so except for those times where she can be found pacing in front of the seats, she'll be nearby where Sora's sitting.

This also meant, however, giving a very nasty stinkeye to any Junes Invasion fangirls looking their way.

[ooc; just specify if you want Sora or Xion or both]

Minako, overall, was almost disappointed by how quiet everything has turned out.

Not that peace was a bad thing at all. It would be better for everyone if nothing did happen during the entire event. But at the same time, the longer things go on without a hitch the more she worries that they're missing something important.

It was so much easier when she could plan her fighting schedule around the moon phases...

Her unease at the situation only grows worse as the closing ceremony continues, and she finds her gaze shifting over the crowd, scanning the unfamiliar faces. There were people she recognized, but just as many whom she didn't, and any one of them could be part of the enemy. Finally, she starts to patrol around the edge of the crowd, outwardly perfectly normal and unarmed, but with her Evoker within easy reach inside her shoulder bag.

Edited 2013-01-24 07:14 (UTC)

Aoi is very obviously on her guard, her anxiousness plain on her face. If it comes to the worst, she knows she can heal anyone who perishes, but... She would rather that power were not necessary at all.

She has her practice naginata in her hand even still, although this can be explained since she had participated in the tournament. Even now she's glancing about the crowd, trying to stay alert for suspicious movements.

[Miku's been lazy while settling into her new apartment, although it got lonely by herself so she decided to come out and see the crowds again.

Thanks to the boring show and the bad mood in the air, it didn't help at all. Now she's feeling a little depressed.]

Ah, how disappointing... maybe next time they should ask me to perform.

Edited 2013-01-24 07:54 (UTC)

[Nano fidgets in her seat, clearly uncomfortable due to whatever strange mood is hanging in the air. She glances around, not knowing what she's looking for and silently fretting to herself, regretting for a moment not simply staying home and watching the festivities from the comfort and relative safety of her apartment.]

[Palutena doesn't bother watching the ceremony. Instead, she's very carefully making her way around the edge of the crowd. She's looking around any strange, out of place, anything that would be the source of this foreboding. She trusts her instincts, something unpleasant is happening in here. Err, besides the show. She just has to figure out what it is....]

[Asem is carefully maneuvering through the crowds. He is wearing civilian clothes at the moment, the better to act more discreetly. He's got his gun, as well, and the AGE-2 is just outside the arena if he needs it.]

Can you imagine anyone coming to the festivities today and not become wrapped up in the excitement?

If you can, it may be because of the middle-aged reporter prowling around. With notepad in one hand and pen clutched tightly in the other, she slips in and out, pushing past mingling locals and looking generally miserable. She does not even look remotely amused in the slightest to be at the closing ceremonies. One might ask why she decided to go in the first place – but isn't that a rather silly question to ask? If the notepad, formal business suit and her vain attempts to look professional isn't enough to clue you in, what would?

But – a surprise, I’m sure, even for her - eventually the woman appears to realize what her job entails. Occasionally she will come up to a random Visitor (perhaps cornering is a better word), bringing out a silver device from her jacket pocket and clicking it.

“Hi.” She says, spreading that single syllable impossible thin. “I’m a reporter for the Hinoto-Ri Local News. I was wondering if I could get a word?”

And then she flashes this ‘smile’ that is so sickeningly sweet that it’s slightly off-putting.

"I only have a few questions. It won't take up too much of your precious time, I'm sure."

Look buster. She isn't exactly thrilled to be here, and she’s not pleased as punch to be talking to you either but just work with her. The quicker you answer the questions, the sooner she'll leave you alone.

"I've got a bad feeling about this..."

Meetra had, naturally, hung around to see the overall results of the tournament, even if it still seemed a little ridiculous and overwrought to her. She was, however, back in her robes and carrying both her lightsabers. She knows a disturbance in the Force when she feels one; the unease was echoing off of everyone in the stadium.

Threaded | Flat

Page 1 of 2

no subject

Be very, very quiet; he's hunting terrorists ((yes it's open))

open

no subject

no subject

If you want Apollo to notice a nervous tic, let me know.

Interviews! Open.