Out of all the Olympic competitions being held that day, Faelan was most excited to help judge the magic one. Being newly emerged, he had next to no knowledge or experience with spells whatsoever. By the time the first contestant, Thanatos, stepped up and began to work his first spell, the lion cub was practically shaking with anticipation. He watched with wide, curious eyes and parted jowls as the black colt first turned ordinary rock into a shiny, black stone. Then, Thanatos broke up his newly made stone, and sent the sparkling, glistening shards into the air. As the inky splinters rained down around everyone, Faelan lashed his tail with barely contained enthusiasm, and settled for batting at a few of the pieces that passed too close to his face instead of jumping up of whooping.

Next came Carni, who decided to first use the sparkling dust that came with Thanatos's obsidian shards to make a swirling, sparkling cloud. Faelan's eyes widened with awe as the white creature let the shiny dust settle, so that he could lift water into the air. But the water fell after only a few seconds, splashing down unto the performer's wings. After shaking the droplets off, Carni summoned up a show to be reckoned with. The swirling twisters of obsidian dust and water, and the ending boom before everything rained down on the spectators, caused the young Gembound's heart to hammer against his chest and his blood to pound in his ears. He grinned from ear to ear as Carni exited the center, and Imperia stalked forward.

Within seconds, heat waves began to emit from the feline. Even from a distance, Faelan could feel some of it, and with the warmth on his face, he watched as an obsidian shard was turned to ash. Bottom jaw falling open, the honey hued youngster leaned forward in anticipation for what would come next. Unfortunately, he was sorely disappointed. Smoke poured off of Imperia, and brought with it the stench of burning flesh and fur. It was the worst thing Faelan had ever smelled in his short life, and he backpedalled to avoid the stench, curling up his nose in obvious distaste. In his haste to retreat, he missed the fact that Imperia's last spell didn't work at all.

Faelen was happy when the smoke, and smell, dissipated, and the next performer stepped up. It was another feline, and at first, the lion cub couldn't tell what he was doing. Then, a small glass orb lit up, and Zevruu slid the necklace on where it had been before. "Wow!" He gasped in wonder, and continued to watch, even though nothing happened. When tears welled up in the spotted feline's eyes, Faelan cocked his head in confusion. Then a faint rainbow drew his, and the performer's attention, back to the competition. He let out an encouraging mreow as Zevruu walked off, trying to let the discouraged feline know that what he had done well nonetheless.

A tiny, hairy critter, named Tukluk, came after Zevruu. He stood in front of the judges and did...nothing. After a few moments, he moved to take something from his bag, and push it into the ground. Then he continued to do...nothing. Faelan's brow crinkled in confusion as the small Gembound stared and stared at the same place in the ground for several minutes. Finally, it walked away in defeat. It being so small, it was hard for Faelan to see his tears. As he was walking away though, the young lion caught sight. Unfortunately, this time, he had nothing to comfort the performer with. That was a straight up failure, and Bartleby let everyone know it.

He managed to drag himself back towards the competition, after that... ordeal to put it mildly. But really after what he just saw, he just feels numb... Who knows? Maybe a lack of emotion may help him in this contest, that wolf he met was quite sure of herself for not letting anger get to her. He really wasn't paying attention to what the other contestants were performing themselves, he's thinking too much on the images he saw earlier when training. Speaking of training, he really didn't get that much done to help him with this. Who cares... His attention came forth a little when he saw the monkey he met once utterly screw this one up. If he was in the same mood as he was the time they met, he'd tease him a little but he's in no mood to tease, not in the mood for that much humour. Although the bat there had a interesting sense of humour heh... Nice to see something so small not being in horrible situations for the size too... Whatever... it's his turn now.

He spread his wings out, and flew over to the center himself and had his eyes on the judges, immediately recognizing Baratheon there. Even though he has met him before, there's something else about him that he recognizes him somewhere else, but he can't put his feather tips on it... Hm...

Although seeing Baratheon, he remember how they met, destroying some of the 'stars' in Orion. Remembering how earlier before that ordeal, there was a moment when the rock he was perched on switched with another... He wonders if it was a Spell and really he knows Mosi is here even if he's in a different contest, be amusing if he sees what he's doing and perhaps recognizes his precious 'stars'... His mood feels a little better, ordeal or not, he still wants to show off a little. Grabbing his scarf and wrapping a large amount of it around his neck, with this many layers on the neck it was more like a cast than a scarf, the rest of it trailing behind him to keep it out the way. He sees a rock that was about the size of one of the 'stars' and so he flew over and picked it up with his talons and brought it to the center with him.

His eyes don't lose focus not one bit on this rock, nor his mind in spite of the sinister images that were in it, keep those at the back for now. His thoughts rifled through into this when he tries to draw his Magicka out to perform this spell, if it worked the first time then hopefully it'll work here too. He kept his focus and going through with his photographic memory he got a clear picture of the crystals of the 'stars' in Orion or more specifically the ones he broke, be easier to teleport since he saw them up close and just about the same size as the rock too.

Yeah, there's nothing... First attempt was a failure, looks like it doesn't want to work with him this time either. If this happened earlier he'd get seriously pissed off and inwardly cursed the world for mocking him. But he'd rather not lose his temper in front of everyone and really strangely he doesn't feel any anger this time. Just go on to Attempt Number 2 Albeon.

If it wasn't for the factor that the object in question he wishes to teleport is something one of his enemies cherishes, he'd be more unmotivated about this but he really wants to do this. Besides enemies there are the ones that know him too who could be considered friends, if it wasn't for them being here he'd try and provoke the canine that's his enemy, he really doesn't want to disappoint the ones he considers 'friends' though...

So he tries again, eyes on the rock again pushing it forward and he jumped back a bit to get a better view of it maybe that'll help. He spread his legs, his wings too and reared his head forward which showed just how much he's really concentrating this time. Forget the image of that black dragon for now, right now it's holding him back. The corvid once again touched upon the delicate energy that flows in his sharp gem that lets him do these vast things. With hope he can bring forth the 'stars' here or he may have no choice to use this normal rock as a demonstration, probably levitate it with budge to make it look like he was carrying it with one wing with ease in spite how heavy it must be. Once again he got a clear image of the 'stars' after he was certain he has gotten the whole details of this rock memorized in hopes it'll work this time.

It's hazy but he can see it, the 'star', it looks like the rock is flashing in between it's original form and the 'star'. Almost looking like a blurry & static hologram that's switching in between the two objects. He waits for his chance, when it goes to the 'star' he'll grab it with his wings to ensure it's a success. He sees his chance when it comes the crystal 'star' he pounces for it and grabs it before it turns back to the rock and to ensure it doesn't come indented to the ground. There we go success he now has the shattered 'star' that looks like a shining crystal that's white and transparent in his wings. Now for the next step.

The final step, he was thinking that after this step he'd make them Whisper. But alas his Magick today is being utterly obstinate. He's unaware that the next step will be similar to what another contestant did at their last attempt too, since he wasn't paying attention, too busy thinking about those disturbing images really, hard to brush them away really. The next Spell he has was his most reliable one, makes sense it was the one he was born with and saved his life from his enemy. So he was sure that this one would work, and the idea of the end results is bringing his mood back up.

He starts with concentrating with his Budge Spell, so far so good, but that's not what Budge's purpose is here. Perhaps if he picks it up with his talons and throw it in the air or drop it from a level just a little and with the gravity forcing to go back down to the ground and alongside Budge he could be able to shatter it. Not too far in the air though, if he does then it's guaranteed it'll break a little even without Budge. Perhaps just around the length of his height he should, the worst without Budge at that small level is a small dent in it.

Using his talons he lifts the 'star' into the air, to strongly emphasise that this is what he is doing he clenches his wing like a fist when flapping them. Letting it go to fall to the ground he uses Budge to make it fall even faster to make it do some damage. The Spell was a success and while it didn't say shatter like he hoped it would, for Budge can only do so much but he did manage to break off a few chunks... Alright as long as he doesn't let them hit him it'll do. The chunks rain down upon him, but from the appearance of the 'star' since it's white looking and transparent they probably look like a snowball or some ice, good contrast with his black feathers. He grabs the largest one to avert it hurting him and now with them now raining down upon him he now starts to twirl his body around in rhythm, somewhat like dancing... Sort of more like a pose, but the reason for it was to make the scarf trailing behind him to graciously flow around from his movements amongst the falling chunks, making the snowing chunks look more impressive to see since it now looks like a nice special effect to go along with a scarf that looks like it's blowing in the wind, a awkward special effect though seeing how big they are. Still some of the chunks got caught by his swirling scarf for a moment which allowed them to stay in the air for a bit longer kinda like a trampoline, and they properly do look even nicer to see.

And... That is that. He has finished his part on the contest. He vaguely wonders if a certain someone was here and if he was if he realized what that actually was... Nice thing to show off about. It is nice to show some of his skills to his friends as well.

He decides he's done and now leaves the center and goes back to the row with all the other Gembounds. Moving the shattered chunks off the center, wouldn't want the next contestant to step on them where it has sharp edges after all which may hurt them. He's not a dishonest sore loser after all.

(OOC: Ignore The Specific Command On The Cast Spell Attempt. Budge is actually just making the crystal fall to the ground faster, so the landing will cause more damage into making it break off a few chunks.)

Kin-Kin looked around, her ears perking up. By the silence, the she-wolf knew that her time was now. She was settled back on her haunches with cloak gently wrapped around her. Her stance, of course, was noble and proud, her eyes half-lidded with cool confidence.

Surrounding her was a little fairy ring of glowing mushrooms, and their glow already cast her in gentle shadows that made her shimmer as though she was carved in pure gold. But she hadn't even begun yet.

The wolf's first step was to make herself look dazzling.

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muse:

"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

It took some time and a softly pulsing glow in her gem, but soon that glow spread, trickling throughout her body like a flood. It flowed through her fur in rippling waves and cascaded down into her paws. Soon, she outshone the glowing mushrooms and looked around as though in disdain for their presence.

Like fields of wheat flowing in the sun, her fur rippled with every movement. Moving her body in a lithe flick, she cast her cloak to the side of her, and suddenly her glow was unbridled.

She chuckled, and closed her eyes, tapping into her gem for the next part of her act.

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muse:

"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

...but nothing happened. Kin-Kin opened an eye and glanced around, but the shadows only flickered and pulsed, most likely in response to her movement. Gah!

This ruined the big finale!

For the first time, the fur along Kin-Kin's back stood on end, her stomach suddenly turning upside down. No! This was her moment. All eyes were on her! She had to do the finale, whether she was ready or not. Her fur prickling with annoyance, now determined to be the best, the wolf fought to keep her cool.

Once again, Kin-Kin was reminded that she needed something more. She needed something beautiful, and deadly. Something that would strike fear and awe. That would grasp this competition by the neck.

Deep breaths...

For now, Kin-Kin had only this. For what felt like the first time, Kin-Kin tilted back her head and howled a spectacular song, that reverberated from her glowing chest and out of her jaws, echoing throughout this wide cavern. Her ears were pulled back, her eyes closed. Her tail gently twitched her cloak.

This was it. Her finale!


Without hesitation, lights burst from the glowing mushrooms, forming around her a ring of swirling and rising fire, pure white and ghostly, and fading by the instant. As quickly as the fire had appeared, it had risen and dissipated into the air. But that wasn't all. Another image, flickering and transparent, had formed itself. A caped wolf like Kin-Kin had formed sitting on a large mushroom, rising from it as though forming from its light.

As her howls died into echoes, Kin-Kin opened her eyes and dropped her gaze to the mushrooms. As narcissistic as this show might have seemed, it was clear that Kin-Kin herself was relieved and even entranced. She dropped her nose, nudging the apparition as a mother would a pup, and it in turn climbed up onto her. As Kin-Kin raised her head and clambered to her paws, the apparrition shakily faded into nothing.

Although this display was far from being lifelike, Kin-Kin felt as though she'd won right then and there. But time would tell.

For now, the last traces of light had crept into Kin-Kin's fur, creating flickering blue markings that rose from her back like fire and faded away. Not waiting until her display had properly finished, Kin-Kin left her spot and paraded before the inhabitants of the cave with head held high and pride inflated. In the end, she seemed to simply disappear as all of her magic flooded out of her at once, back into the darkness of the cave.

-Exit Kin-Kin-

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"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

Winners!

All participants have gone and the winners have been decided!

The first place winner is @Kin-Kin !
Second place goes to @Carni !
And third place goes to @Thanatos !

Thank-you all for entering <3 feel free to claim your contest points and ribbons at the Update Me thread!

MC @Bartleby please conclude this competition for us ;3

(OOC - Sorry for the ridiculously long delay peeps, I knew before the OO's started I'd be laid up for a while after surgery and not really be responding to things)

After a few moments of consulting with the other judges, a time which no doubt must've felt like a week for the competitors, Bartleby finally squeaked up. "Okay creatures, bleachers, and preachers, the results have been decided!" Attempting to do a drum roll, Bartleby soundlessly pattered his claws against the stone beneath him. He ignored this of course, like he ignored everything else which would throw him off his inner rhythm. "In first place with a rather illuminating, at least compared to the competition, display it's that plucky pup who pushed out that powerful piece before she parted! Kin-Kin!"

"And in second is the cantankerous crowned king of the carniverous, Caerwyn!" Then, added in a falsely hushed tone the bat added "Hey man, you had my vote but the other judges can eat me, so please remember that the next time your tummy rumbles."

"And in third is the tough trotter who treaded boldly before all others! It's the man who can play the plan with obsidian Thanatos!" All of these words were belched out in rapid succession by the tiny mammal, who seemingly had an unending air supply specifically for his vocal chords. "And that's it for the judging! Everyone else you're all winners! Just kidding it wouldn't be a competition then, now would it? But you'll be getting a ribbon for participation anyways! Fool your friends! Feel good about yourself for reasons undeserved! Thanks for coming out!"

He stayed around for the results, doesn't know why though, waiting out to see if that someone shows up and sees something precious of his was used like a Guinea pig for a spell demonstration perhaps? Or was it something else? ...Who cares really? He listens intently to the small bat who had an interesting humour and announced the first winner the one called Kin-Kin, which he believes is the canine that came after him, well nice to see there's another canine who may not be like that someone. Although he inwardly thought how it was funny how the bat called her a 'pup' when she clearly looked like a fully grown canine, the bat while it might be the small size looks young. Well not the winner though... Ah man.

The second winner he couldn't really hear, it almost like he was mumbling in his sleep to Albeon. Funny enough he could hear the bat in that hushed tone over the second winner should consider how they had the bat's vote over about on how the judges can prey on him? He doesn't know really, it's hard to hear still he has some doubts Bara will do that, then again the bat could get in some trouble over those comments like the ones he did in regards to Tuck. Not second place though either, well now or never with the next one...

He hears the last one, while hard to hear he knows his name wasn't mentioned. Still though was that a remark on how the horse can plan well with their own Obsidian? He doesn't know whether to take offence to that seeing how his gem is an Obsidian too. Well he thinks he saw tiny pieces of Obsidian earlier hm... So what did this horse get a gem here too? If that's the case then, unless the horse has Translocate too and what they actually used and Albeon never saw, he really doesn't know how he lost to that if that's not the case, he literally distorted space to get his gem from a different region. May be assuming too much, perhaps if he actually paid attention then he wouldn't have these questions.

Still though like he thought previously he's not a dishonest sore loser, so he'll just take this in stride and just think that he was probably 4th place. Perhaps if that vision didn't happen he'll be somewhat in a mood, but nah... Good for those participants.

He is curious about some things though, whether if he can find others he knows in the other events, such as that certain someone. Or more importantly to see if that vision was really just a bad dream, painful illusion, or whether or not it's something that actually happened. Still he'll be a little nice today too. And with that before he goes Albeon gets one of his wings out and gestures a wave at Bara. Well time to look around now...

-Exit Albeon-