Aure nodded - they could do a tie and those placements. He wasn't sure if that was him agreeing or nodding along, though. The young King swallowed, blinked; no. That was fair. Better than denying Sebastian the placement he did deserve, repeat act or not. It wasn't a repeat for everyone present, and certainly was more powerful this year. He nodded again, inhaling slowly.

Bright eyes flicked towards Damask and that apparent slip-up? back to dad. She was either so overcome - stuttering - or making a point. Either way, a thrum of affection bloomed. The monochromatic raptor took up her place and spoke. Aure nodded along at the decent thing to say, pasting on a warm smile - fully leaning into the distraction that was announcing winners of the contest.

He thought for just a second that maybe they should've announced in the opposite order, but Damask got her warm dip-of-the-head and smile nonetheless. I'm proud.

With a shuffle of the wings and claws, the Bone King took to the edge next. Hopping up to it, he offered a quick "congratulations, Svartis." Bright eyes swept towards second place, and he spoke (completely and intentionally mirroring how Damask'd gone about it, following example.) "Fisher, come up next." Regardless of if the mustelid approached, he continued, "You've shown magic that none of us have seen before, and showed great showmanship. Your act was larger than life, as they say."

One deep nod: "congratulations on winning second place Fisher."

Aure jumped back down and tossed his head towards Pride, "all you."

@Pride

Pride listened to the other two judges solemnly, giving them each an attentive, respectful nod as they announced their winners.

As Aure returned, the stag stepped forward, nodding out to the crowd. "You were all very skilled, very talented; it has been a pleasure and an honor watching each and every performance, truly. And you made us work for choosing third place, certainly-! As a result we have what I believe to be our first ever tie."

Pride looked around among them, perhaps allowing for a slight amount of tension to build, before he spoke further. "Sebastian, your performance showed both skill and power. I think it awed all of us, and it is a magic not just anyone can control." He didn't explain why Sebastian hadn't ranked higher, purely because Pride found that it might be rude to explain it, as it might sound like a criticism. Instead he simply turned to the demonic being not far off. "Azrael, your performance was also dramatic, and impressive both. A fine display of power and showmanship. Both of you did wonderfully, and so we've decided to award you both a tied third place."

Pride bowed his head deeply, silvered antler-tines catching the light.

"Congratulations to all of you."

Origin's Fourth Olympics

That's All, Folks!

Here's the final placements for the Magicka Show, courtesy of the judges:

1. Svartis
   
2. Fisher
   
3. Sebastian and Azrael

Thank you all for participating and contributing wonderful acts! ❤ Feel free to exit and claim your rewards in Magicka Market!

---

Remember, the magicka rewards for each Event are as follows...
⁠

— First place in each Event will receive ʡ 400. Redeemable once per character.
— Second place in each Event will receive ʡ 300. Redeemable once per character.
— Third place in each Event will receive ʡ 200. Redeemable once per character.
— All placing characters have had their medal achievements added already!

— Participation in each Event will net that character ʡ 50, regardless of placement. May be redeemed multiple times on the same character, per Event.
— Successfully helping to set-up, judge, announce, et cetera will net each character ʡ 75. Redeemable once per character.

!! Due to the nature of posting in this event, participating members may also claim ʡ 100 for Long Thread Completion once if they were judging, participating, helping, et cetera. Spectators may not claim Long Thread Completion unless they've met the 5 post minimum requirement.

@Pride (Azure) @Aure (Svartis, Mercurius, Orthoclase-Alpha) @Damask @Sebastian (Artume) @Tahi-Shei @Temperantia (Kalama) @Akaari @Wilder (Azrael, Deli) @Madhukar @Fisher (Hunter) @Twisted @Forgraves

Tahi still felt like he'd absolutely humiliated himself, but he half-heartedly cheered for the winners as their names were announced and stamped his hooves against the ground to imitate clapping. Once the crowd had died down, he sighed and started to slink away. Maybe he'd catch up with Madhukar afterwards? (But the thought of talking to her made him feel a little bit sick.) Perhaps he'd take a walk or something.

The deer's ears twitched as he thought back on a rumor he'd heard a little while ago. Maybe he'd follow up on it, if he let his thoughts stew long enough.


/exit tahi-shei

Every act after him was a wonderful combination of prowess and might - far exceeding his own potential, he thought. But, of course, you are your own worst critic. Svartis tried to be confident about it all, but couldn't help but notice the monstrous enemy sitting on the sidelines. He knew he stuck out like a sore thumb among these smaller creatures, but tried to make his silhouette smaller nonetheless. It was a pitiful attempt at hiding.

He had no idea why that thing was here - was it stalking him? His family? Waiting for an opportune moment to strike? Vargas and the Alpha were supposed to be leaving them alone after all of what'd happened. Fins laid flat.

But - "Svartis. Please come forward." That was an obligation. Are they saying things to everyone? A thrum of worry ran through him, anxiety nagging and demanding that he stay right where he was to avoid any possible contact with the kaiju nearby. Icy eyes fixed warily on the thing. No movement as he slunk forwards, wing-waddling slowly.

Coming up on Damask and the rest of the Judges, the black dragon lowered his head to be eye level. His eyes then widened by a thousand degrees, jaw cracking in a slight gape. Winning? Like first? Huh?! Svartis smoothed down his fins suddenly and nodded. I say words now, right? What was the most official-sounding thing... ah! "It's an honor." Noble words for a dragon whose eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

He hurried back out of the way, though he took a path that led him closer to an exit and further from Alpha. Like Hell he'd get caught by it in a tunnel. Once all was said and done, he swept onto his wings - and if there was no other preamble - made his escape back for Monoceros.

exit svartis, unless stopped!

"Thank you for sharing it with everyone here." Mercurius bowed his head and smiled despite the magical headache raging in his skull. It certainly made the act following his more painful to endure, but he appreciated the spectacle of them all nonetheless; even when it concerned destructive fire and oppressive darkness. A mild reminder, but one nonetheless, of her.

His recovery, though, was surprisingly quick. The Spire's glow bled back into view and banished Azrael's cast in time to reveal another bout of shadows and what was certainly the most amusing act he'd ever seen. If the pale beast were judging this year, he might've given Kalama points for showmanship. Perhaps it was a comedy routine?

Moonlit eyes flicked up to Pride after the announcements were done - he cheered softly for the winners, of course. Rather than deprive someone of the opportunity to approach the stag, or obligate him to drop everything, Mercurius reached out for his mind. The link came easily enough, but the pale beast let his presence be noticed before he spoke. No need to spook Pride, after all. "Are you going anywhere after this?"

It was an innocent enough question, merely curious as to whether or not they should walk out together. His openly shared thoughts indicated as much.

@Pride (for visibility)

It was almost like the smaller a creature was, the mightier their magic - or potential - was. Thunderous kittens, overenthusiastic cubs (that got ripped apart that one time,) a fiery black feline much like one that'd entered Hydra and not come back out. Alpha gnashed its teeth at that last thought. That cowardly black dragon was here, too, but he was doing everything in his power to maintain distance.

Its head tilted back level involuntarily as it'd watched, and only when Damask spoke did it glance towards her - and Pride - and shift away again. Toxic eyes narrowed into a squint, keeping track of who'd been in the top three four. Those would be the most essential to keep track of. Or maybe they were the most lucky. Alpha didn't care much about it. It'd gotten what it'd come for. Whatever test of agility was next on the docket of going through the motions, and its own physical tests would come.

One after another.

As the crowds dispersed, the Overseer didn't so much as glance at Svartis or any others that were concerned about its presence on its way out. Straight to monotonous business at its own expense, looking haggard and like every sense of the phrase "like Hell."

exit alpha, unless stopped!

Azure dipped her head from the sidelines, murmuring as loud as she could nervously manage her congratulations to the winners. To say she wasn't disappointed would've been a lie; in fact, the show had been so lovely and impressive to watch that she felt a little silly, now.

But she was thinking that maybe next year, if they did it again, she could just sell jewelry on the sidelines instead. Trade it, maybe, for other small things, for food, and so forth.

Quietly she made her exit, slipping back into the dark toward Orion, pouch held in her beak.

exit Azure

Pride watched the gathering begin to disperse. He eyed Orthoclase, wondering why it was here, exactly, but he didn't think much of it, bar that it didn't look great. But there wasn't much thought in it--there was a lot going on--and so when Mercurius murmured into his mind, he turned to his fellow judges. "Perhaps I'll see you before next year, hm?" he offered warmly, and then trotted out.

Silver eyes found the lion again, and his own thoughts drifted for him as he made his way through the crowd. I've no plans, if you'd like to go back together-? That was a lovely performance. The rest were flashy, but not many touched on creation instead of destruction or illusion. We ought to put on shows, he added, amused.

It was true, too. If the Gembound were wiped out tomorrow, Pride wouldn't have roaring and fire and reflective invisibility be their legacy, no. Tales, creativity, stories, morals--those were more important, culturally.

They just... didn't make as flashy a display. Maybe if they could find a way to combine them?

If you weren't planning on heading back yet--is there something you'd like to do?

@Mercurius

EXIT PRIDE

He waited for the judging, watched the others perform their magic, or whatever, and then stared at the judges. He wanted to get a good scored. He better get a good score, despite his one failing. In his opinion, the only one that came close to matching his power was the dragon.

But. They gave him third. And not just third but a tied third. He clenched his jaws hard as anger rippled through his body. He wanted to roar at them and DEMAND they give him his own placement, AT LEAST, if not second place, but he wasn't a child. He wouldn't tarnish his reputation by being so immature and demanding so publicly. So, instead, he grit his teeth and nodded to the judges. "Thank you, it is an honor." It was a lie - of course it was, he was not honored but insulted. Still, he had placed, at the very least. So he forced himself to think of that, instead. That they had seen his magic as worthy enough to place. (Even if he thought his magic was more worthy then the rest.)

With one last snort, he turned and left the forum, to find Forgraves and perhaps watch the other events.

*exit