DAY 2 - Morning

[islandiastaff]

RISE AND SHINE, CHALLENGERS! Everyone, out of the lounge before it explodes!

[Once again, as soon as everyone's safely out of the lounge, it explodes spectacularly. Notably, there's one fewer of you than there were last night.]

We've got a long, exciting day ahead of us, so let's get the announcements out of the way! First of all, due to a complicated legal dispute, we had no choice but to send Manami Nagano back to her homeworld! Sorry, ma'am, but business is business! She was the Double Agent, so no more worrying about that!

But that's not all! The spies are also hard at work, and their second target was...

[M.C points dramatically, and Shiki Ryougi is sent hurtling into the stratosphere and towards the Loser's Lounge.]

So long, Shiki the Villager! Better luck next time, if we run for a second season!

Comments

THE CHALLENGE

[islandiastaff]

Now, let's talk about today's challenge!

[M.C walks as he talks, heading way from the ruins of Lounge Two.]

Today's hike is gonna put yesterday's trek to shame! Following the river to Lounge Three will take you across bug-filled marshes and up rocky cliffs that will test your skills to the limit... however, we're going to offer you a special alternative option!

[As he finishes that sentence, the group reaches the top of a hill, seeing a river running ahead of them - and in it, a luxury river ferry!]

For those who aren't feeling up to the walk, I offer you an alternative route: The Franklin-Winsor Memorial River Cruise! However, don't think you can get on so easily - there is a price of admission!

[Down by the riverside, there's what appears to be a barbecue grill. M.C throws the cover open, revealing a row of skewers. On each skewer are what appears to be three big, juicy beetles.]

In the jungle, you have to eat what you can to survive. If you can make it through one bug skewer, you can advance to the next lounge in comfort and easy! If you make make it through THREE of them, you'll also be awarded an extra gold coin!

Which'll it be, contestants? The choice is yours!

[[The important thing is making a decision. It's... It's okay to not thread out the grisly consequences of it.]]

[wildrhythm]

I'm walking. No question. End of story. I will climb any number of rocks to not have to eat that.

[candyrocks]

Okay! Detective O'Pickles will eat everyone's bug skewers for them so we can all ride in the boat.

[scarfphiliac]

[It's not the bug-eating that worries him, but...]

A cruise?? Why not a wagon or a car instead?!

[fullonbraced]

[STARES AT THE BUG SKEWERS.....

PICKS ONE UP.........

SWEATS LOUDLY.....]

Re: THE CHALLENGE

[zerotodoro]

Who is Franklin-Winsor...? I suppose that is not important.

[Dororo sits lotus style, arms over his chest, weighing his options]

I care little for bugs, but being able to is an important skill for anyone who might find themselves truly stranded.

[The alien claps his hands together, tilting his head]

Thank you for the meal!

[He picks up a skewer and starts to eat - without taking that mask off]

[exfired]

[...well, he's been to worlds where people eat bugs before. it can't be that bad.

it's just.

why they gotta be so huge. still, he takes one skewer (because one is enough). once THAT is over, he has this to say in complete deadpan:]

...Yucky.

[YOU ARE A GROWN MAN, AXEL]

[teethteethteeth]

[As she starts in on the first skewer, she speaks up about something that's been bothering her.]

Why did you bring kids into this?

[livefreely]

Do we get a selection of bug skewers or are you just going to give us one at random?

[Seriously..... considering this.]

Re: THE CHALLENGE

[life_is_megas_wonderful]

Hmmm... I always did wonders how bugs taste! Gotta be adventurous in a world like this, after all. Gimme one of those things!

[punchestumors]

[After watching some other people do it, Leorio considers... and then grabs a skewer.

He seems to eat them without much difficulty, actually.]

Pretty nasty... but I've had worse. All right! Bring em' on!

[Going for round 3 apparently.]

[maidensbunraku]

[There is a moment of consideration. Alice can't really be thinking of doing this..

Is she?]

[synchrownization]

[Hans recoils at the beetles. Ugh, this is so not chocolate fondue or sandwiches.]

...

[But at least it'd be over quickly and he'd be over to the next lounge. Okay, Hans, you got this. Totally easy. He slowly reaches for a skewer...]

Re: THE CHALLENGE

[carptricks]

[S. . . STARES AT THE BUGS]

[is it worth it]

. . .

Y'know, they do say exercise is good for you.

Re: THE CHALLENGE

[skyentist]

Scientifically speaking, shellfish are a lot closer to insects from a biological standpoint than they are to true fish.

[Why yes, that is Ema taking one of the bug skewers from the grill.]

And at least these seem to have been cooked.

[MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH.]

Bleh.

[That was pretty gross, actually. But she's on the boat!]

[sweetssuite]

[Where the hell has Kanade been? Hiding behind other people, mostly. And things. Everyone and everything here is crazy, this is no good at all.

So instead she's just going to stare disgustedly at the bug skewers.]

Please tell me no one's taking those.

[OOC - The last week was ... a mess, OOCly. Sorry, folks! I'm here. @_@ ]

Re: THE CHALLENGE

[collateraltsunage]

[This one totally went for three.]

[PAINSTAKINGLY]

THE CRUISE

[islandiastaff]

[Welcome to the Franklin-Winsor Memorial Cruise! For the low low price of a single bug skewer, you've made it to a day of luxurious relaxation.

The ship rolls gently down the river. It's fully catered, with a snack buffet and open bar. Above deck, relax and watch the scenery pass by. Below deck are everything you need to get some poker going, and a couple pool tables (pool on a moving ship is an especially complicated challenge). Have fun, and be sure to get that weird taste out of your mouth!]

[punchestumors]

[Well, Leorio just ate enough bug sticks for a coin, so no way is he going to let this buffet go without getting the most of it. And that goes for the minibar too. In fact, he's drinking more than he's eating, since the buffet is just snacks. Anyone walks by and he'll casually toast em'.]

Worth it! Whoohoo!

[...yeah he might be a little tipsy.]

[synchrownization]

[Hans just sighs in relief as he helps himself to the buffet. He just wants to get the taste of bug out of his mouth, pronto.

Well, this is more like it. At least he can take it easy for now.]

[life_is_megas_wonderful]

...But I wonder how you'd make good tasting bugs? I betchas it's easier than you'd think.

THE HARD WAY

[islandiastaff]

[Congratulations! You didn't compromise your palette forevermore. However, now you've got a long walk ahead of you.

Yesterday was easy mode! Dense, complicated tangles of roots! Muddy swamps full of mosquitoes! Rock climbing! Have fun with that!

Food watch: The best shot you've got at spending the day satiated is some wild Asian Persimmons.]

[respring]

[ SHE COULDN'T DO IT SHE JUST COULDN'T. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH SHE VALUES FOOD THAT WOULD BE HERESY.

That said, compared to most of what she's gone through, a difficult trek through a jungle is pretty much a cakewalk. The tiny, seemingly frail girl is doing just peachy walking through the mud, for instance. Curiously, her shoes don't seem to be acknowledging the mud at all. How does one keep their shoes clean in this type of adventure the answer is literally magic. ]

[schwings]

[The "hard way" never looked particularly hard to him, and he wasn't in the mood to eat insects just for a little luxury. Besides, he wondered what kind of people would be left here.]

I hope I won't be having to hear you whine the whole way there. ♦

Re: THE HARD WAY

[zerotodoro]

[Wait, didn't he eat some insects? So why is he here?]

If you have any items, please put them in my backpack so they can stay dry during the trip.