{ reverein talent show }

[dreamposts]

REVEREIN TALENT SHOW

Welcome to the Reverein Talent Show! This log serves as a mingle thread where everyone is welcome to create their own top-levels and have their characters show off their talents on a glittering stage. If you desire snarky judges commentary or if your character would like a chance at prizes, applications for the Talent Show can be found here. They will be open until September 10th to allow new players a chance to have their characters join in the fun. If you DO NOT want to be judged and your character is not looking for a gig or to join Emet's theatre company, they are welcome to participate as a walk-on performance - no application necessary! Go forth and perform to your heart's content!

Voting and voting guidelines can likewise be found over here. Each audience member is allowed one (IC!) vote. Voting will close on September 13th and the winners will be announced in a separate subthread below. Deadlines may be extended depending on the number of votes and pacing for the log.

I. COME ONE, COME ALL!

Come one, come all! To not just one, but two entire nights all but guaranteed to be worthy of remembering for years to come. Now that the winds have calmed considerably, event flyers have returned in earnest advertising the Reverein Talent Show to be held on the evenings of the 5th & 6th of the month. If anyone should happen to be passing through the Riverside District, they might be approached by performers in bright, elaborate costumes. While it would be quite easy to mistake these performers as Dream Fair organizers, a few inquiries prove them to be representative from the theatre house and part of the talent show staff. These performers will prove most eager to answer questions about the event and will urge everyone to consider entering and sharing their talents before the rest of the town.

A. Bright Lights, How We Love Bright Lights. Whether ushered along or choosing to follow the crowd, the first thing of notice are the dazzling light displays. Faerie lights gather and disperse before the Grand Theatre House, illuminating its façade and the steps leading into its main reception hall. Should one linger within the light display, the colors will shift and transform depending on the guests' moods. Perhaps they turn blue in response to excitement, red if one happens to be attending with that certain special and significant other, or green to indicate the nervous energy that comes with imminent stage fright. If attendees should feel anything truly negative, however, the lights shining upon all who enter may just so happen to flicker out entirely in response.

B. Making Memories. Inside the reception area are a number of small booths offering snacks and drinks as well as unique memorabilia to celebrate the event. Of special note are small contraptions known as "dream lights", not much larger than a writing pen. By focusing one's emotions upon them, the colors of the dream lights can also be changed. Perhaps they might prove fun within the theatre? And indeed, the audience may choose to create a sea of color from their places in the stalls or focus on an appropriate color to cheer on their friends when they take to the stage.

C. Flower Power. Highlighting the entryway is a stunning floral display created by Isabela Madrigal. Mayhap the fragrance of its blossoms will relax and fill all who gaze upon it with happy anticipation for what is sure to come. Still more flowers can be found within the theatre house, highlighting small alcoves and seating areas and framing the stage itself in their brilliance. When combined with a soft white fog and the flickering of distant "starlight", the stage is transformed into a mystifying garden landscape.

II. REVEREIN TALENT SHOW

A. Opening Ceremonies. Once the audience has settled and the lights have been appropriately dimmed, both Emet-Selch and the theatre's director take to the stage. They welcome everyone, making a point to thank the promising talent who have offered their time, and bid all gathered to enjoy the proceedings. Emet-Selch's speech in particular is rather...grandiose and whimsical coming from a middle-aged man with dark circles under his eyes. A certain someone once suspected the Garlean of "taking the scenic route" whenever he chooses to speak, and indeed the man's opening speech sounds almost like a dramatic performance in and of itself. But he will not prove unduly long-winded. Indeed, the two of them soon return to their seats at the judges' table as the lights on stage shift once again and a positively jubilant young faerie flutters out to introduce each act.

B. So You Think You've Got Talent. Performers seeking the judges' approval and either a place in Emet-Selch's theatre company or a chance at earning themselves and their act a short term run at the Grand Theatre House have been asked to arrive to the venue at least an hour before showtime. Backstage, participants can be found tuning their instruments and poring over scripts one final time before being escorted one at a time onto the stage. Curiously enough, there is a distinct deficit of stagehands, and yet the stage and its settings seem to undergo a transformation each time someone new steps out upon it - as if it is morphing to suit their talent. Perhaps the young man in long white robes might know something about how this is achieved?

C. For Whom the Spotlight Shines. After the final judged act has concluded for the evening, the theatre staff offer a reminder that walk-on performances are still being accepted! All one need do is sign up at the reception desk during intermission and make their way to a designated area outside in the gardens to be lead backstage once everyone else is yet again seated. No numbers are required. Indeed, this shall be your own personal moment to shine! Simply walk out on stage when your name is called and introduce yourself to the crowd. Staff members are available to help should you require any outside assistance. And as for volunteers? Well, you've a whole theatre full and ripe for the pickings! Everyone enjoys a little audience participation, right? ...Right?

III. INTERMISSION

A. Culinary Delights. During intermission the gardens behind the theatre are open and illuminated to guests who may wish to sit and chat while awaiting the second half of the show. Fireflies dance and crickets create their own symphony to mingle betwixt snatches of conversation and delighted merriment. A few grills have been set up and attendees are treated to a delicious display as ingredients are minced at record speed and whole fruits and vegetables transformed into intricately carved baskets and tiny sculptures of flowers and beasts. Who ever said it was poor manners to play with one's food, when the results dazzle the imagination? If anyone is truly feeling adventurous, they can even try "fusion" cuisine which manages to meld wildly different foods together into a single dish, some of which may look and smell a bit... eh, suspect... Do you dare?

For those less daring, there is also a candy artist set up in the corner gazebo, able to spin sugar into the shapes of (mostly) local wildlife. Anyone who comes to the booth is urged to try channeling dreamotion into the creation for a special surprise! And as promised, determining the corresponding emotion will cause the creatures to come to life.

Tea Mouse: reacts most strongly to feelings of curiosity and mischief.
Fairy Cow: reacts most strongly to feelings of serenity and happiness.
Coeurl (Tiger): reacts most strongly to feelings of confidence and friendly competition.
Moon Rabbit: reacts most strongly to feelings of affection and appreciation.
Spice Noodle (Dragon): reacts most strongly to feelings of bravery and loyalty.
Flower Snake: reacts most strongly to feelings of surprise and excitement.

B. Step Through The Mirror. The theatre is beautiful, is it not? There is something about it which - almost - seems too much like a dream, however. (Ironic, that!) The architecture matches none of the surrounding buildings, and the number of flourishes and embellishments within it seem needlessly ornate. Could something be hiding beneath all the glitter? If the talent show is not for you, mayhap a mystery would better suit your tastes. Is the theatre's current appearance the result of dreamotion? And if so, just who is expending so much energy for the sake of aesthetics? Could there be a more sinister plan afoot? Is this all an elaborate trap set up by a yet unannounced villain? Who knows! (But...probably not.) If anyone should happen to lean to long against a marble pillar or take an incorrect turn looking for the washrooms, they may just so happen to find themselves breaking through the illusion and into the theatre as it truly should appear. Still a lovely building, no doubt, but a far cry from the gilded metal fixtures and magical overlays that now adorn it. One might even discover some of the theatre students secretly and determinedly working away on revisions for the next installment of their beloved Sharktopusnado.

C. Stage Flight. Backstage everyone is in a flurry preparing for the next set of performances. The lighting needs to be re-checked, the flowers watered, someone's lost their left sock, and exactly ten minutes remain for an 11th hour dress rehearsal. In the midst of the disorganized chaos, a shrill voice rises above the crowd. It seems that one of the bird actors has escaped from its holding cage and has taken up refuge high in the vaulted ceiling amidst an intricate system of pulleys. No amount of coaxing or pleading will convince it to come down, and its trainer is in hysterics. The bird itself appears quite ordinary, yet according to them, the bird is an empath (of sorts) - anyone who attempts to touch it will be zapped with the bird's prevalent emotion. If the bird becomes frightened, anyone too close may scurry away in fear; if the bird is angered, one might forget their task and throw a tantrum instead (why is this bird so important anyway??). The key is to calm the bird down before approaching it. As the trainer tells it, the bird always responds to bad poetry and loves to have its neck feathers scratched. Oh, and its name is "Professor".

IV. AND THAT'S A WRAP

A. Smoke and Mirrors. Following parting words from Emet-Selch and the theatre house director, the lamplight swells and the doors are thrown wide. Pray leave with wonderful memories of all you have witnessed, or should you choose - linger a moment more. The night may be over for the audience, but it's now that the staff and crew members file out into the emptying theatre to begin tidying up and returning it to proper order. Pie filling is mopped up, the curtains are lowered, and the beautiful glittering ambience slowly fades, reverting the theatre to something still very handsome but far less fanciful than it had been a moment before. Any offers of help are gratefully accepted, as there's much yet to be done to get the venue looking as clean as a whistle. And what of the winners, you ask? They need only head over to the judges' table to claim their prizes where they will find one Emet-Selch looking both more pale and more tired than usual, yet also unmistakably pleased with himself.

Comments

[projections]

I'll follow right behind you two. Aether seems to have something in mind for sure. Anything place would be better than here.

[He nods in agreement.]

It's an interesting show if I've ever seen one. Where did you even learn how to fight?

[They have such unique abilities. ]

[startraveler]

It's not a battle arena, Childe...

[But he's going to roll his eyes only a little bit! Since both the Harbinger and Shirou seem to be eager for more fighting, Aether won't say no.]

Follow me.

[He gestures, then as they walk he answers the question.]

Well... I travel a lot. Being able to fight is just what you need to know to deal with monsters and such.

[It's a vague answer, but he's not going to go into details.]

[monoceroscaeli]

You could say something similar for me.

[Childe won't delve into those details either, only smiling back at Shirou when he says it. There's really no need to truly know, right? He begins to follow Aether out of the venue, still excited at the prospect of more battles.]

But what's most important is that you know what you're fighting for. If my memory serves me, you wanted to protect someone, wasn't it? A girl named Sakura.

[projections]

Yeah, that's her. Sakura Matou is my girlfriend from home. She's not here right now but I still want to be strong enough so that I can protect her properly.

[Shirou wants to be a dependable person eventually. ]

It's no good if I'm weak and can't even protect myself. I have a lot of things to learn. How long have you two been fighting for?

[They seem like combat experts. Aether and Childe looks equally skilled and Shirou can't tell which one of them is stronger.]

[startraveler]

Fighting to protect someone is very admirable.

[Aether definitely understands how the other feels.]

Um... [The question gives him a pause though.] I've been fighting for many years now...

[Many, many years. He'd be unable to name a specific number even if he wanted to.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Childe wonders himself how long Aether has truly been on the battlefield, and perhaps that's something he'll ask him down the road. Not now though.]

Hmmmm...I guess it's only been eight or nine years since I truly found my calling in life. I hadn't realized it's already been that long...time certainly flies when you're slaughtering your foes, doesn't it?

[He laughs, cheerful and bright, happy to have the opportunity to be able to fight and to continue to push himself. Honestly, how'd he get so lucky?]

[projections]

Many years? That's probably longer than I've been alive. I'm only seventeen so I haven't been at it for too long.

[He's still just a teenager!! Shirou has a lot of growing to do. He's not even that tall either so he hopes he'll eventually grow stronger someday. Honestly, he can respect how much dedication Childe puts behind his fighting. Keeping at something for nine years is no easy task.]

I learned some spells from my father when I was growing up and I've been training on my own. I can't do anything like you're doing though. What kind of magic is that?

[startraveler]

[He blinks. This is probably the first time someone assumes he's that much older and it catches him off guard.]

Um... Do I look like I'm that old? [He laughs awkwardly.] Well, I'm no child, but people are quick to call me a kid because I'm not very tall.

[He has no idea what to think!]

As for that "magic"... it was elemental powers.

[monoceroscaeli]

You could call it a sort of magic that originates from our world, [Childe explains, tacking that on to the end of Aether's sentence.]

Most people need to be blessed by the gods to wield such powers, but there are ways around it. But, we don't have access to that here.

[He winks at Aether- he's not going to go into detail on that one.]

Unfortunately, there is no teaching of the elemental prowess of Teyvat while we are in Reverein. Sorry if you were hoping to learn some of those techniques.

[projections]

It looks like magecraft to me but if it's powers from your world it's probably something else. I don't think you look that young Aether. You might be around twenty? You seem older than me but not older than my father.

[He'd be about as old as the graduating class in college or something. Aether seems mature so he comes off as wiser to Shirou. He nods at Childe. ]

A blessing by the gods sounds like some strong magic. I'm really interested in how it works. It's okay if I can't learn it myself. I'm not that good at magic anyway.

[startraveler]

[The traveler is clearly caught off guard by this comment, before crossing his arms over his chest.]

I wish you could tell that to some people I know.

[Since some view him as a baby!]

...And as Childe said, you need to be recognized by the gods of Teyvat to get this kind of power. If you do, then you're granted something that's called a "Vision". But... nobody knows for sure how exactly those are given out or if they're given by a specific god or just the gods in general.

[monoceroscaeli]

So, [he says, because he's grown bored with the subject at hand,] Shirou, what do you say to a little more than training today? I wouldn't mind fighting both of you.

[So many opportunities for all these different kinds of battles with people with powers from other worlds...

He is living for this.]

Perhaps you could both benefit from sparring with me. You'll definitely get stronger if you do, haha.

[projections]

Fighting both of us at the same time? Hm.

[Childe's really living for this moment of fighting, isn't he? Shirou grumbles under his breath and tries to decide what to do. It seems like Childe won't back down either.]

For some reason I was sure that you would laugh at me for giving the wrong answer, Aether. If you're fine with fighting like that I'll agree to it.

[startraveler]

[He's not even surprised that Childe wants to fight them both at the same time. On top of that, Shirou is willing to agree...]

Childe is obviously thrilled to have this fight so... I guess we can do it.

[He looks to the Harbinger, eyes slightly narrowed.]

...Just remember not to take this too seriously. We're not having any fights to death here.

[He feels he needs to say it just in case.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Wow Aether you are a PARTY POOPER]

Fine, if that's the way you want it. I suppose I can treat this like a training camp for recruits, to gauge Shirou's abilities. Unless you've got a few new tricks up your sleeve, Aether...

[Which would be great anyway, because it'll make it more fun and he'll love every second of it.]

That should fall well in line with your stipulations, yes?

[projections]

I'm fine with that and yeah it'd be great if we don't have to die from this.

[ He nods understanding the terms. ]

You can't do anything while you're dead so let's just keep it to a reasonable level. I don't know. It seems like Aether can do a whole lot of things so I might be in for a surprise.

[startraveler]

[He may be a party pooper, but he is still going to make sure everybody get out of this without any major injuries!

When Childe mentioned the "new tricks" Aether blinks.]

Not really... or at least I don't think so.

[He doesn't know this Childe hasn't seen him in Inazuma yet!]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Sounds like something someone who's got some new tricks up their sleeve would say]

Either way, let's go, shall we? I'm more interested in seeing it all in action.

[He'll happily lead them to somewhere outside of town, where they can all go all out if they want to.]

((OoC: Do you guys wanna play out the fight stuff or handwave it? We can talk about it on plurk too))

[projections]

[ooc : im fine with plotting on plurk! if this thread is a bit old we can get a new one depending on how you two feel about it! i'm game for new logs!]

Then your on! It wouldn't be much of a fair fight if we didn't set the terms beforehand. I'll try not to do anything too embarrassing while you're trying to gauge my skill level. Who knows? I might learn more about your magic and visions while we're at it.

[Their magic seemed interesting enough on its own.]