Palefur stepped up behind Desert Rose, her fur fluffed up against the freezing air. She knew this had been coming, but did it really have to be so damn cold? Well, she supposed that it was just another challenge, just as the heat from before had been. She'd been waiting for her opportunity to be in a Trial for a long time and now, here it was. If only she'd been in the first one...

But that didn't matter now, did it? This would strengthen her, prove her worth to the others of the Sentinels. Perhaps they'd upgrade her to just The Cat to something more useful to the rest of the group, and to the brood as well.

She stood tall and poised (although she was still shorter then most of the participants) and stepped forward. "It's time," she whispered quietly, "for my Trial. I will be a part as well."

Hargrave came a little quieter than Virgil or Vinea might have.

She simply sauntered along, unhurried in her steps but with an endless sort of curiosity in her fiery gaze. A trial was afoot - but of what sort? Judging from the blustering winds felt even here, the sooty canine was certain it would be by ice. Almost preemptively, her breath fogged in the air, flagging to the sides of her mouth as she padded towards the group.

Survivors would be rewarded - she hoped it would be worth it.

“

SEE ME BARE MY TEETH FOR YOU

···

Null had been around. Watching, waiting, taking in everything around her- as she was wont to do.

This was new. She avoided the tunnel, typically, with the activity that'd occurred around it- huge beasts came and went in it, and she'd've been trapped there long ago. Not that she wasn't curious.

But, if she was forced to stay or be hunted- either way, she wouldn't be able to look around elsewhere when she was dead. And so, this had been really the first time she came near the entrance as she noticed it buzzing with activity.

Her ears were pet atop her head as she weaved through the others gathered, looking to the person who'd gathered them all. It struck her as odd as it stood atop its back two feet. And it spoke, spoke of things even stranger to her.

A trial? Null's head lifted to the winds that chilled over her bones, golden eyes squinting ever so slightly. She had no need to prove her worth or her value.

Yet, her eyes fell upon another black canid that had gathered. If they were doing this, then so should she? Drawing herself up, she gave a hard nod to the Merchant. Approval given (and she had no choice in backing down now), she took a few steps back to sit herself next to Hargrave with a curious sniff. Was this a kindred spirit?

Fisher had stumbled upon yet another large group of gembound, gathered for what had only been described as a "Trial", and that those who won were crowned Champions and awarded for their success. The brash noodle eyed the youngin's it found it self surrounded by: mutants and hybrids the lot of them, and not a good noodle in the lot... Though, the one there reminded him of White, didn't they? Shit, was White old enough to have babies all grown up? Did that make him like, a great-step-uncle or something?

He was tempted to say something, but he didn't want to just assume that somebody all white and covered in pretty wings was related to White. The resemblance wasn't uncanny enough for him to place his bets. It just felt right, in his gut.

As did the Trial, which he investigated with a sniff. There was a hum of excitement in the air, tickling his whiskers. "Haha, well," Fisher gloated, "I'll have y'all know that I'm the first gem to ever climb the Spire, and I still hold the speedrun record, so you'll find that I'm more than equipped for your challenge." This was like the... Uhh, what was it called? Olympics or whatever? There was something about surviving, but Fisher sincerely doubted that it would be anything particularly serious. "Stick close to me, kids," he winked at the nearby silver fox, which by his estimation, was pretty young looking.

He missed the memo where it was life or death. Nothing in his life had ever really been "life or death"-- even with massive dragons trying to eat him and his friends, it was kind of more like... "fuck up, or fuck up with style." So, how bad could a lil' Trial be? It seemed nice and cold in the space beyond the tunnel, his thick coat bristling with anticipation. Hell yeah. Bring it on, dude.

"I'm in. Y'got a sign in sheet or anything?"

Kalama had been sneaking about tunnel P ever since she was denied her rightful place in the previous trials. There had been a noticable gap in her skulking since she got turned into a rock according to Dread, or took a nap in her own opinion. There was no way Kalama would allow herself to get turned into a rock. She'd let Dread win. That was it. She had only been nice to him because she felt bad. Kalama would never lose, not even to a eight foot dragon. She flicked her thick eyebrow feathers, disgruntled. She wasn't having a nice day. The fact she was having trouble walking didn't help. Her limbs still felt weak, degenerate, and she was unbalanced. It was shameful. She took slow, measured steps to avoid tripping over her own feet. As she rounded a bend in the tunnel, she noticed a crowd of gembound up ahead. Just like when she had attempted to join the previous trial. She hopped in excitement, letting out a high pitched squawk. Wait. She remembered, Eythan and Giggle had stopped her the last time. She paused suddenly and looked about the crowd.

No Eythan. No Giggle. It was her time! She could finally show that Masked Merchant that she was the cream of the crop, show Eythan and Giggle how strong she truly was. Then she would surpass Aure, and be the owner of the Bonebound. They'd train every day and every night. And they would only sniff bones once a month. Eythan and Giggle weren't even her real parents anyways-- they couldn't stop her if they tried. This time, at least. Once she beat the trial, she would go visit them again. She was sure they hadn't seen her since she'd taken her nap. Satisfied that no dirty Bonebound were there to force her home, she floundered her way up to the Masked Merchant, flapping her wings and lashing her tail against the ground, forgetting in her excitement to try to avoid tripping and walk with dignity. "Masked Merchant, It's me, From the previous trial! I'll prove I'm better than all the gembound here!"


Speech. Thought

"There will be... changes." No elaboration. It seemed to be in response, at least, to Desert Rose's question.

The Merchant's eyes drifted over the other volunteers. They lingered on the white snake. Without a source of warmth, she would rapidly fall into a torpor and die; but perhaps magic or teamwork would aid her there.

His was not to suggest; his was only to judge. Some of the others seemed... foolish, but physically suited; others looked familiar, and yet not. There were former champions, and he had to stare at Shida for several seconds to assure himself that she was not the champion Shango. A relative, no doubt.

The cat, the wolf, the fox--the cat would have been better, he thought, in the same-colored sandy heat, but it was furred at least. And Fisher-... "There is no... 'sign-in'... sheet," the Merchant rasped.

And he simply eyed Kalama.

"Return, then, in several days' time... and we shall begin."

Note: new characters may still sign up until the Trial starts, at which point sign-ups will be closed. Hydra-dwelling characters may join the actual Trial at any time, though they will be subject to its rolling rules until they leave, and cannot win its rewards (unless they join in round 1).

@Desert Rose Thirty-Five (Null) @Imp (Ivory) @Agate Two-Three-Six (Wynter, Fisher) @Virgil (Vinea, Hargrave) @Shida (Palefur, Winter) @Kalama

Imp turned, and he'd have blinked at Agate if he had any eyes. Brief, twinned anger and hilarity threaded up through him together, threatening a hysterical laugh, but he subdued it.

Barely.

"Uhhhh." He definitely knew the voice. He couldn't quite pinpoint it, not at first--but he remembered distinct, maybe too-confident enthusiasm. Now, though, it was a welcome attitude.

"I think so. I dunno what an agit is," he added, "and I ain't 'blind one.' I'm Imp." Though in fairness they'd literally just asked his name. A little begrudgingly, he continued. "I'll help you in there, if you want. If you're not an asshole like that fat lizard was," he added darkly, memories of Reseda scurrying off ahead thronging his brain.

The idea that the blind beast would be able to help anyone was probably laughable, but Imp seemed to be dead serious.

Hopefully he wouldn't wind up being just dead.

Winter's head turned to look at each and every one of the newcomers, tongue flitting from her mouth to taste their many scents. There were...wow, there were a lot here. This was kind of exciting, but the grim tone of some of the gathered put her on edge a little bit. She felt like she'd seen some things - the storm had certainly been something, and Vathrahi hadn't exactly been cute and cuddly, and that fucking goose that was probably still wandering around had done some damage, but this might just be a totally different level.

She took a shaky breath. Shit, she was nervous now. The cold was starting to make her feel a little woozy. She turned and slid out of the tunnel. She'd come back when the Trials were ready to start. She had some preparations to do.

*exit, unless stopped

Changes. Desert's expression soured for a moment before he get settled, watching them all come in.

Hm. Some seem more suited, yet they seemed like they didn't know what they were in for. There was but one repeat- it had lost its eyes?- that wasn't a champion here.

Disappointing that there weren't more.

Drawing himself up after the Merchant was finished, he looked to the crowd. "There's ample space in the tunnel if you can't find shelter of your own." The address was given to all of them. Better be sure that they'd follow through with their plan, aye? And it'd give him opportunity to study them, give him insight as to who to be wary of while they were closer to the Warren. Then again- if they couldn't find shelter, how'd they expect to survive in Hydra?

With a flick of his ear and a glance away, Desert turned and went back the way he came, the fur on his tail swaying dusty sand this way and that. Hopefully Hemlocke could handle the kids while he was in there.

;exit unless stopped

Gatto cocked their head at Imp's reply, doing their best to recall a fat lizard-- but, considering it had been a while, and the cockatrice had ended up at the end... Well, y'know. You couldn't remember everyone.

"Hey, anybody could be an asshole," Gatto chirped, from the corner of their eyes catching Desert Rose say something about shelter. While the former champion sure felt invited by the offer, they'd have to pass... Well, for Hemlocke's sake, if nothing else. "But it tends to work out better to treat gems like they treat you. So, no worries, Imp. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be saving the worst of me for those who earn it."

In part, because wasting their time harassing a blind reptile would only earn them bad karma. "See ya in a few days," they announced to the group, realizing only a moment later that-- uh, well, it was a bit in poor taste. Hopefully Imp wouldn't mind. They had meant what they said! But sometimes the tongue slipped.

With that, they eyed up the competition once more, feeling a hole in their core that familiar faces weren't among them. They spread their wings, gave another flourishing bow, and flew off out of the tunnel.

;; Gatto exit!