POCKET LESSERS!

Part II: Team Challenge!

The silence was one of grave disappointment. The sound through the megaphone, even, was a giant sigh.

Only ONE of them? Only ONE thus far had failed?

Oh, well. For entertainment purposes, the image on the giant screens swept in on the Wall-Eyed Rabbit, zooming in close to show little rabbity whiskers moving up and down as it chomped happily on greens. To this, loud comical music blared, and a ghostly audience guffawed their laughter.

Beneath it, Nemean could be heard muttering, probably--maybe--accidental. "Just one? Who the hell gave them all these GOOD lessers? I wanted chaos! They're too OBEDIENT! Ugh."

A moment later she cleared her throat, and her voice came loud and clear. The final challenge was now shown on 'camera': a big stage with huge hanging curtains that sparkled gold, swathed in brilliant light, glitter raining down. Big buckets and boxes of props were being wheeled over.

"IT'S TIME... for the TALENT SHOWWWWW!" Nemean crowed. "Show us what your little friends can do! ANYTHING goes! A dance! Some juggling! Singing! Do some flips! Whatever! AAAND... GO!"

---

Team Challenge - Round 5 - FINAL ROUND!

This challenge requires the Lesser Gembounds to perform tricks or to display talents (think talent show!) guided by their Greater friend.

Players should roll Other (or, if their character is Other-path, physical combat--to keep roll thresholds fair) to gauge their familiar's performance.

Round 5 allows for a range of scores (for performance evaluation): 1 point for Barely Successful rolls, 2 for a Success, and 3 for a Critical Success! Keep track of your score!

New characters may no longer join this thread, aside from as spectators. The next post will take place on July 17th, so please post by the end of the 16th. If anyone already in the thread missed posting in the last round, they may double-post this round: once for each round. Those who have not posted in the last two rounds are no longer being tagged.

Note: these rolls cannot be used for character progression.

@Oliver @Mocha @Sair @Anala @East @Kaizer @Miriam @Richter

ANALA
From a spark to a flame

Talent? Anala knew hers, sure, but Ragnar's? They had only just met! She hoped he knew what he was good at, because she was no good at improvising.

"You're good at something, right?" She pulled him aside gently, looking him in the eye as if he could understand any of what she was saying. "I know you're good at something." She corrected, trying to hype him up. "You just have to show them what you;re good at, too! You can do that, right? A really cool dance-" The skrungler froze up at that comment, which Anala took as a 'no'. "Or a show of your hunting skill! Or uh- acting? Sleight of... claw?" The wolf's only hope was that her familiar would pick out one of the props as a toy and twirl it, or... something.

"You have done SO well, Ragnar! You just need to get up there and do something cool. You can do something cool! Just look at you!" She shooed him onto the stage with a reassuring lick, resisting the sudden urge to say 'break a leg', for some reason. What a strange idea.

Ragnar did obediently walk onto the stage, picking his way along to the center of it. He waited for the spotlight to settle on him, and for the camera to focus. He stood tall, puffing up his ring of neck feathers for the audience to fawn over. He did not, however, do anything else.

She should have said break a leg.

OOC Notes: 3 points

Sair

"Well, you're good at humming. Show them your charm!" Sair had no concerns for this challenge. Whereas some lessers had been at a direct disadvantage in previous challenges, like a legless lizard having to jump or a moth... He didn't really have to finish that one now did he? Trill had an advantage as a firetongue in this competition, as her frills were designed to hypnotize. It was the perfect challenge for her.

Make some friends! He instructed, wondering for a moment if it was cheating. Should he ask? It was something that she could naturally do, and something she was good at, so it counted as a talent... right? Well, only one way to find out.

It was certainly not Trill's best performance, but she hummed away nonetheless. Perhaps the crowd just couldn't hear very well, given the nature of her performance. Her 'how did I do' over the link, emotion more than words, was answered of course with compliments. You did great as always, Trill. They loved you!

"Speaking." Thinking. Doing.
OOC: 4 Points

We don't know how to accept we're just a product of a chance /
And less like gods but more like plants

Mocha

'Cause I'm having a good time

The final round! The event was going by so fast, with varying degrees of success from all the contestants. Such a whirlwind! Sure Nori had slept through most of it, but Mocha had seen every fail and success, heard every cheer and groan. It was so much fun, but it was also very tiring. He would have to take a nap before the next event, he decided. Was there a stream somewhere around here...?

But that was later! It was the last challenge of the current event, and Nori had to get on stage! "Show them what you're good at Nori!" Mocha chirped, setting him gently at the edge of the stage. He had full faith in his little friend, and was nothing but eager to see what he could do. Nori, however, was nervous.

Nori made an attempt, at least, with a little wiggle dance and some vague charade joke with a prop hat no one in the audience seemed to understand, but nothing landed. Defeated, he returned to Mocha's side, and the shark-dog was quick to shield its ear-holes against any potential laugh-tracks. "It's okay buddy, you tried! I thought it was funny!"

3 points

They come forward again, to a scene of children's art supplies. Well. Even if it can't get Siren to make the exact painting he's sure they can make something pretty! Right?

The fox-imp whispers to him, telling of ocean waves and white sand. Like Leo. "Alright buddy, you come from Leo, right? With all the warm water? Could you draw something like that, with blue water?"

Siren promptly knocks over a bunch of the paints, making a horrible mess. At least something's on the canvas?

triple post 1/3 (whoops got really behind)
points 2

Kaizer arrives at the next chamber with a Skycaller dyed many colors, none of which are the usual white. "We'll have to get you cleaned up later, okay buddy," he tells it encouragingly, before nudging it to get ready for the next task.

Just go across the room. Please?

The Skycaller sits on the entrance platform for a moment, clearly considering how much it wants to cooperate, before lifting off into the air and slowly gliding across to the other side.

triple post 2/3 (whoops got really behind)
points 3

"One last test, buddy," he smiles to Siren, bringing it on the stage with him.
"How about we try something like this-" he thinks, tapping his hooves and claws on the stage floor in a even rhythm. His head sways, skycaller perched on his antlers. She proceeds to call out a haunting, melodic song, along to Kaizer's beat. A haunting dirge of oceans far away and ships long wrecked.

triple post 3/3 (whoops got really behind)
points 5

A looser tongue than usual couldn't be at fault for the instant remark that sprang to mind upon announcement of the final round. Inclined to jest as always, East's thoughts were loose change on the matter of frivolous talent displays, so the shiny penny which slipped out especially for this occasion was one of a dozen similar sentiments held in a relaxed beak. He eyed the stage, a hulking beast which awaited willing sacrifices, then turned his gaze to meet the perpetual aggravation evident in his companion's.

"Better you than me," he said, no shame or despair in the dry delivery used. Only simple observation and dull anticipation of future events dwelt there. Lucky so far in receiving cooperation, this seemed the appropriate time for the proverbial shoe, or rather cave stalactite, to drop. Most he could do was brace himself to take whatever mockery was thrown at their joint failure in stride while dodging the furious antler thrusts of a Tunnel Runner scorned.

Speaking of antlers, the imagined scenario caused lightly sketched plans to form an interesting inkling of an idea. The gathered props, encompassing a vast assortment of themes, might harbor an item properly befitting a Lesser prone to such explosive tantrums. He tilted his head at the boxes and buckets filled to their limit; picking through them would go faster if their efforts were combined, and obviously the audience wouldn't appreciate a long delay before the next act entered the spotlight.

"You mind? It's your grave we're going to be digging."

The Tunnel Runner snorted but complied despite an irritated flick of his whiplike tail.

Once it came time for the stage to be braved, the deer didn't approach this daunting arena within another alone. A flutter of wings signaled East alighting opposite of him, beak gripping onto a sword. The weapon was ostentatious, colorful gems gaudily decorating its ornate hilt. Oversized for the bird, how he managed to avoid toppling over from its weight became clear when he flew at his familiar and antler points parried a wide blow he swooped to inflict: a cheap replica, the impact rang hollow upon bone. The pair circled about in an orchestrated duel, attacks dodged and knocked aside at a steadily ramping pace, before abruptly breaking apart.

Panting, an evaluating glare was directed at East by the Tunnel Runner. He smacked a hoof on the ground and lowered his head in grudging acknowledgement of their frenzied fight.

Score: 7

Giving her familiar a decent start was foremost on Miriam's mind going into this final challenge. An outright performance, a last and best impression needed to be achieved. Having shown Claude how aimless he was without her direction in this event, the likelihood of executing an actual show was higher than previous dismal expectations had projected. Surely they'd entertain well, provided the Kyte didn't struggle with a minor addition to his natural talents.

Standing off to the far side of the stage, the Tatzelwurm existed as a high perch for the Lesser who clung to her shoulder. The distance from the center was strategic, allowing room for the main performer of their duo to fully shine under the spotlight's attention. She cast an arm out in a dramatic sweep, and hooked claws clambered down its length, momentum aiding Claude in launching himself forward and into the open air. Clutched within his mouth was a yellow ribbon that stretched to his very tail tip. It fluttered upon catching the breeze.

While no great feat of aerial acrobatics could be done when maintaining a steady glide, a valiant effort was attempted nevertheless. Wings tipping, a straightforward landing became slightly less so. Claude's dark body spiraled, and silken fabric swirled about him in mimicry of the movement.

Score: 3

"Ah, pardon us for the wait," Richter said with an apologetic rub of a paw against his ears as he hopped into view of the spotlight. The rabbit responsible for his tardiness was cradled in the crook of an arm, freshly plumped from the grandest feast ever to be devoured. "Just had to get my partner's head in the game. We'll give you a good show now that we're here. Promise you all that."

Not particularly prone to being a forceful individual, tearing Harvey away from an all-you-can-eat buffet had likely hurt the kangaroo more than it had his friend. Through their temporary link, undeniable contentment had been sensed as the Lesser had mowed through the greens arrayed on the tables, and although that emotion had cost him an entire challenge, he couldn't blame the little fellow for pursuing the simple things which brought such joy. Even now as he set Walleye Rabbit onto the ground, a pulse of regret was sent out to the bundle of fluff.

"I really wish they'd gone with something else," came a low mumble regarding the previous fiasco. Then he clapped claws together, signalling the beginning of their act. "Up and at 'em, Harv! Let's run and jump for the hills."

By those, he didn't mean the actual landforms. The phrasing, in fact, referred to the curves of his own body, particularly the sloping back created when Richter bowed forward until his snout touched the stage floor. Although still sluggish due to the recent meal, the addressed rabbit popped up from his resting position and darted for his partner's head. Harvey scaled the Gembound's neck from there, scrambling to perch himself between shoulders.

"Well, that's the run. Now how about the jumping?"

Richter straightened up, reached his arms to the cave ceiling, and clasped his paws together so that a circle formed overhead. Quick on the uptake, his agile companion leapt through the makeshift hoop and safely landed back onto the stage. The rabbit rushed behind him immediately afterward in preparation for the next part of the performance. Timing back, forth, and sideways hops perfectly as possible, the more active than expected Lesser soared over his tail, participating in an odd variation of jumping rope.

Score: 2