4th Act

[pipers_son]

Who: Everyone involved in Joker's circus!
Where: Goldenrod
When: Throughout March 16th
Summary: Time for some good ol' fashion practice! And perhaps the first time plenty of folks will meet their coworkers.
Rating: PG at worst
Log:

A lot of work has been put into this day. Warning's been given, transportation has been worked out, and a space has been found! All of those who've been roped into Joker's circus one way or another have been sent directions and an address to a very large warehouse in the city. Inside?

A circus performer's paradise.

There's some acrobatic things way high up and a tightrope all prepared. (A safety net should assuage anyone's worries, hopefully.) Plenty of weights in all sizes are in one corner. Another has some hoops and balls. Basically if you can imagine it, then it's probably around here somewhere and there's enough space for all sorts of people and Pokemon to practice together.

Since the ringleader of the circus is also fairly considerate, there's a table set up close to the entrance people will be going through. It's a pretty long one, every inch of it covered in various fruits, snacks, and sandwiches. There are some large tubs filled with ice cold water bottles too.

So get to practicing, everyone! And don't be afraid to go check out your coworkers or their Pokemon, either. Your ringleader can't be the only one getting in everyone's business.

Comments

[islandshore]

[Well, by the time she finishes one of her songs, she might hear a round of applause and spot this dweeb watching with a smirk.]

Man, no wonder you were so wary about that stupid bet. Your singing totally wipes the floor with ours...

[So color him impressed. It's good to hear some real musical talent without silly puns.]

[dressofheaven]

[She's a little surprised to see Riku here, but she turns and titters at him with only a slight amount of teasing.]

I know it does. But it's not really a fair comparison with how much practice I have.

[islandshore]

True. And maybe I should practice more. Sora's always trying to push me into it at whatever chance he gets.

[He waves one of his hands. That's just Sora's usual brand of stubbornness, really. Maybe Riku shouldn't be so reluctant to sing, but hey, at least he can enjoy others' performances.]

How long'd it take you to get this far, anyway?

[dressofheaven]

That's hard to answer. I've spent a long time singing, especially when I was shut up inside the castle and there was nothing else to do. It was the only thing to do that wasn't boring sometimes.

[islandshore]

Wait, you were stuck inside a castle?

[Was she alone? Why was she there? Dozens of questions flood Riku's head-- he's not even sure what to think of this.]

[dressofheaven]

Oh yes, that's where I grew up. Once mother and father were gone there was no one who was really willing to take me outside, so I spent most of my time indoors.

[She explains it all with a casual air, but it sounds like the fate of some sort of captured princess in a fairy tale, and she's aware of that.]

Until I bonded with Berserker, of course.

[islandshore]

Berserker?

[Hmm... Sure doesn't sound like a person's name, that's for sure.]

And is this Berserker a friend of yours? Some kind of pet?

[Whatever the case, being trapped indoors sure sounds worse than beng trapped on an island. And here he thought he had it bad.]

[dressofheaven]

My Servant.

[She places a strange emphasis on the word "servant".]

Did you know Saber well?

[islandshore]

[Ah, there's a name he hasn't heard in a while. Riku hesitates, bringing a hand to his chin.]

Well, we were on pretty good terms, but I don't think I got to know her as well as I should've. Never really asked about her world, for one.

[dressofheaven]

Ah. Then you wouldn't have heard the term before. Basically, powerful Magi, like me, bond with ancient heroes of our world for a tournament of sorts.

Saber was one of those heroes. My Berserker was another. Lancer, if you've met him, is a third.

[islandshore]

Magi... That like magicians?

[It's the closest thing that comes to mind-- magi and magic, there's a similar root word involved.]

And these heroes... are they basically your partners? Just trying to get a clear picture in my head so we're on the same page.

[dressofheaven]

Well, yes, but most Magi would be insulted to be compared to stage magic. Or do you not have that on your world?

[She can just imagine most of her family's reaction. Or Rin's.]

Essentially. They're bound to serve us until the ritual is complete. Not entirely dissimilar to Pokemon and their trainers, really.

[islandshore]

There's magic, I just haven't experienced it yet. And the key word is universe, not world; apparently I get to see a whole slew of worlds in the future.

[But that's just what he's heard from others, like Sora. Hard to say when he's stuck in the past.]

So does completing the ritual require you to win that tournament?

[dressofheaven]

You can travel between worlds?

[Well, color her impressed. Her eyes widen and she tries to think of what to say. Fortunately his question gives her something to latch onto.]

Well, yes. The ritual will be complete no matter who wins, but only the Master and Servant who win will receive the reward. The Holy Grail, a mystical object that can grant one wish, will appear before the winner once the tournament is over.

[islandshore]

Yeah, there's ways. Couldn't tell you all the details, but I remember hearing something about ships.

[But hey, that's just hearsay. Rather than try to fill in the gaps, he'll just focus on what Illya has to say.]

So, this Holy Grail... are there any limits to what you can wish for?

[dressofheaven]

No, but the Grail will make the wish come true in its own way, so it's still best to be careful about it. A wish like someone coming back from the dead, for example... it would probably end up with quite a twist to it.

The real question is if it would still be worth it.

[islandshore]

[A twist, eh? Riku's eyebrow quirks, and he snickers at the thought.]

So basically there's a catch. What, does it take everything literally?

[dressofheaven]

That's a part of it. Um... the last time someone managed to reach it, they ended up burning down half a city, if that gives you any idea.

[Fully explaining the nature of the Grail is something she'd prefer to avoid for several reasons, not the least of which is that it hits a bit close to home for her.]