MISSION 006 - RACE DAY

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: November 20th
WHERE: Etraya
WHAT: Mario Kart, Etraya Edition
NOTES\WARNINGS: Mild violence and injury potential

⏵ pre-race antics ⏴It's the morning of the 20th. The sun breaks through the cloudy skies of Etraya as teams gather at the starting line with their newly created vehicles - a patchwork of excitement, nerves, and the unmistakable hum of finely (or hastily) tuned engines. Companion bots lead participating vehicles toward the northwest islands, where the paved tracks begin. After all, it's the time everyone's been waiting for - the time to put their engineering skills to the test. But this isn't just a test of speed. No, this is a battle of wits, of creativity, and as some may have already discovered - mischief and chaos. Here, Etrayans gather to race towards the finish line, to defeat those who are both their companions and their enemies. Alliances will be tested, pushed to their limits as tomfoolery is encouraged through the battlefield - of the race track. But it's not quite time for the race to begin just yet! A few bleachers are set up near where the race is said to start and end, leaving spaces for those who are not active participants. Little sandwiches on trays are passed around, along with - bananas? Weird combination, but there have surely been weirder things going on around these parts. Maybe don't think about it too deeply. Mysteriously, a few teams may find their vehicles tampered with - potatoes (yes, potatoes) have been left in their tailpipes, their tires have been deflated but not damaged, and a couple of batteries may be found dead before the race even begins. Coincidence? It has to be, right? Brakes have been jammed, engines flooded, but the show must go on - teams may find themselves needing to do last-minute repairs to get their vehicles up to snuff before it's race time. ⏵ the race begins ⏴ Aurora, in her new body, will not be starting the race, but will be gently encouraging the companion bot who has dressed in a short skirt as they raise the flag in front of their racing teams and counts down from kthol - whatever that number means. Regardless, three words are murmured, the flag drops, and the racers are off! Watch out for the rollerblading mammoth who makes up the vehicle for team FASTODON. Numerous mishaps happen on the course. A stretch of icy terrain will test drivers' skills, causing many vehicles to play slip and slide along the paved path. Then came disaster: a bridge collapsed under the weight of the racers, leaving their vehicles free-falling for several moments. Those unable to sail on the water will find themselves saved by oddly solid clouds that slowly lift vehicles back up and onto solid ground, delaying them severely but preventing them from certain death - or a dip in the rivers, at least. Shortly after the bridge mishap, racers will reach a destination called the Pit Stop, where they are encouraged to do any repairs necessary on their vehicles. Or hijack others' vehicles to cause more mayhem down the road, whatever sounds most fun to them. The companion bots aren't judging! But the bridge, the icy road conditions, and the mammoth-turned-vehicle aren't the only things to keep an eye out for. Ramps are set up at random intervals on the roadway, massive speedbumps are put in the way of racers to hinder their progress, and roaring literal monster trucks may chase them down the road just to force drivers to dodge, weave, and do their best not to get crushed under the beasts. As the paved path goes through Nova City, the dragon mother may open her maw and spew flames out at drivers who get too close to her tower, just to remind them that she is in charge here, not them. ⏵ the finish line ⏴Through sheer willpower, luck, and determination, team Grease Lightning manages to pass the finish line first, followed closely by the Unstoppable Pandas, with Ferða-maðr EXPLOSION pulling in third place. As promised, Grease Lightning will be pulled aside at the end of the race by Aurora, so that she may give them the prizes promised. Runner ups are awarded an additional ten points to use on whatever they see fit. While the final racers manage to cross the finish line, the companion bots lead Etrayans back towards Harry's Hideaway for a few drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic alike) to nurse their bruised egos or celebrate their wins. ⏵ NOTES ⏴ After a chaotic, laughter-filled race, the results were in: 🏆 1st Place: Grease Lightning 🥈 2nd Place: Unstoppable Pandas 🥉 3rd Place: Ferða-maðr EXPLOSION Characters are encouraged to keep their vehicles (if intact!) or set their sights on the next challenge. Please direct all questions to our plotting post! ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[arora]

Aurora recalls the incident when Gorgug had approached her and the newcomers in the bookstore when she was still recovering from Im'mari's corruption. It had been a difficult time for everyone, but she understands that it hadn't been Gorgug's intention to approach her like that. If he had been thinking clearly, she sincerely doubts he would have approached them so aggressively.

The smile she offers to him is soft, understanding, as she takes a few steps towards him.

"You performed quite well, Gorgug." Her voice is soft, her tone gentle. Aurora reaches for her shoulder with one hand, grabbing onto the backpack strap belonging to the bag flung over her shoulder - the backpack has multiple compartments and is much bigger on the inside than it appears. Already, numerous compartments are filled with items that Aurora had thought Gorgug would appreciate - tinkering tools, alchemist supplies, amongst others.

On the backpack is a Boy Scout-styled patch, with "Grease Lightning" on it.

[tinflower]

Gorgug's gaze flickers onto her, at least, when she speaks, his mouth twisting and his sight going right back down with embarrassment at her words. Shame, too, if not for what they're here for today. His group did good. He did his best as well--he didn't want to let them down.

But his sight does lower to the bag she's brought between them, the boy scout patch recognisable as the mascot they'd been made to design. His gaze widens a little, but then he blinks with something like embarrassment (and maybe fondness, too....a little). He reaches to take the backpack, but Gorgug doesn't take it from her, immediately.

Instead, while forcing himself to look at her, he says, "...I'm sorry for the things I said. I didn't... I was trying to upset you. It wanted me to."

It's what the Im'mari wanted. Infected again, or broken. Even if there were things he said that he knows came from a part of him, too.

[arora]

"I know." Her voice is soft, gentle. Offering comfort where she can, or at least attempting to. The smile smile stays ever present on her lips, while Aurora focuses her attention on Gorgug. "It's alright. You weren't entirely yourself, and I understand that."

If Aurora had better contained them, had kept out contaminants, it wouldn't have happened. She is as much to blame for it as he is, and she knows that. The guilt of her failure rests heavily on her, but she won't put that on Gorgug's shoulders.

"Thank you for the apology, even if it is unnecessary."

[tinflower]

His lips pinch when she calls the apology unnecessary, and Gorgug realises that his apology may be unfair, or his reaction to how it's received is. He looks down, ashamed about the feeling, but...

"...I wouldn't feel right talking to you without giving one," he admits. "Even if it wasn't entirely me... it still used me to try and hurt you, even if it didn't do a good job..."

Because that might be why she doesn't need one--he was told (to his relief) that he was shit at being evil, after all. But it doesn't feel enough to absolve him of all guilt, or like he had no place in the events. He was there. He felt it.

"I wasn't mad at you. Or Clint."

[arora]

"I understand." Her voice remains gentle, attempting to portray forgiveness as best as possible. Aurora finds that there is a difference between understanding physical gestures and accurately portraying them herself, so she does the best she can with what she has available to her.

"I do not hold your actions against you, especially those done while you were under its influence. You are good, Gorgug Thistlespring."

[tinflower]

He wants to fidget, but doesn't. Even under most circumstances, he's unsure of how his interactions are going, and apologising has been--difficult, really. It never feels quite enough, even though with Aurora, he never physically harmed her. His interaction with her was short, but words usually sound useless coming out from his mouth, so...

"Okay," he answers, opting to take her reassurance as she offers it, nodding. Showing his understanding, repeating after her, "I'm good."

Gorgug takes a step back without looking in the bag, just holding it, head ducked and his body language submissive, despite his above average height. Thinks to say nothing else...

Except abruptly, even to him, he blurts out: "I have a companion bot in my lab."

His brows sink lower against his eyes, and if anything shows his age, it's at times like these. "In pieces. I took it apart. Sorry."