Hunter x Hunter: Stars Align [IC]

[Sir Salty]

[BCOLOR=transparent]He Who Corrupts Memories[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]He rather not have to outright speak to any of the witnesses. Everyone had a perception of their reality of what had happened. But everyone had the interpretation of what could have happened. When the waitresses was about to speak up out of her shock, he merely flashed his Hunter's License at her. Though it was not true authority it kept her quiet. He rather avoid all the needless and pointless banter. Of who was a monster and who was not. He had no right to judge considering who he was and what he was. Just in the nick of time the police had also arrived at the scene. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]He was not one to draw things out too much, so he stuck up his hand at the waitresses. Something about his presence paralyzed ordinary people from defying him. Maybe it was some form of natural intimidation his presence gave him. His black hair trailing after him as he walked calmly towards the police.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Excuse me sir, are you one of the witnesses, we need you to stand in an ordinary fashionable line and we'll get to everyone in just a minute," the police gave their orders, like good little robots. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"In a way I am a witness, in another way, I am not," he responded. The police obviously looked confused, but he didn't want to have to explain anything to them. They were pointless drones. Trained well, but not well enough. Trained to be vigilant, but not vigilant enough. If they had known Nen or something of the sort, they would have known they were already trapped. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"The hell are you going on about," the police spat at him.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]He merely shrugged. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Walking past the police officer. Without a word. He had much more important task to complete than clean up after children. But he also knew the importance of these events as well. He wondered what bound him to an oath he hadn't kept until now. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Memory Strands" he whispered even more ominously than his ordinary voice.[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]Memory Strands [/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]While some manipulators choose to manipulate people or specialty objects. Parts of Zevan's hair are not hair, but thin threads of power that give his hair it's unusual qualities. Anyone who comes into contact with these strands will have their memories altered. Only a exorcist of power can remove the strands that act as a parasite on the Host scalp, giving them false memories of an incident Zevan so chooses to give them.[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]He may only alter a single memory, not all of an individual's memories. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]The Lucky Cat Casino[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]

[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]It was a shame, that they were here for an exam at the Lucky Cat Casino. Because the Casino was grand and impressive. The sound of slot machines. The sound of coins collecting in the tin. The sound of poker chips. The sound of the crowds. The color of the liquor, and the smells of great food. Loud jazz music blasted through the speakers. But signs, and rope you'd see guiding you to a theater, read Hunter Exam Here. A group of 1,000 Candidates had somehow, miraculous dwindled down to 969. But that wasn't exactly going to last either. When the candidates entered they found themselves in a massive theater hall. Where the woman Ringo stood by a Door Number 1 on the stage and Jin the male twin stood by Door Number 2.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]She held a microphone in her hand, as well as did Jin. The double doors that ushered 969 candidates were closed behind them. Forbidding anyone else from upon entering. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Gamble and Risk Phase 1[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ringo smiled, twirling her pink locks around her finger. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Now, I'd first like to welcome you all to phase 1 of the Hunter Exam," Ringo pointed to two doors behind her, in the fancy theater.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"One of us is a liar," Jin added while blowing his pink bang out of his blues.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"And the other remains truthful," Ringo says, "Behind me is a wheel."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Jin points to a wheel with the words, Gamble or Risk on multicolored bands. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You will spin this wheel," Jin says, "When the wheel hits Truth."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You ask a question, and we give you an answer," Ringo responds, "You either tells us whether or not we're telling the truth."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Or a lie," Jin continued.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You won't will not know the answer, we will simply tell you to go either to the door behind me," Ringo said pointing back to the wooden door.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Or the door behind me," Jin said pointing to the door.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Those who spin on Risk," Ringo spoke more sinister now, giving them all a glower, "Will have to choose which door they think is the correct choice. And go through that door."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"The name of the game is Gamble and Risk," Jin responded.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ringo clapped her hands together.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Okay now that you know the rules, I want even split lines. One beside Jin and One Beside Me. And each of you will individually spin the wheel,"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]One of the candidates stood up.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Fuck this! This is some cheat! You're asking us to put faith in Luck!" shouted one of the candidates angrily.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"That is correct," Ringo responded, "When you're a hunter you do not have time to always calculate the answer. You must make a gamble and take the risk, then you must adapt for whatever circumstance is to occur."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Fuck you! Where's the real exam!" shouted another candidate.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]There was a loud uproar beginning to usher from the theater. And Ringo merely snapped her fingers and pointed to the two doors behind the candidates.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"This is your final chance, if you cannot trust in the decision you have made than you are not fit to be a Hunter and may leave now at any time,"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Several of the angry candidates stood up and began to pour out of the theater. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Now then, the unwilling have left, it is time to play Gamble or Risk!" Jin shouted.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]How to Play[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]Roll a D100 on your Post[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]1-50 = Truth[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]51-90 = Risk [/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]If Truth You May Ask Ringo or Jin a Question, They Will Respond with a Truth or a Lie and you are to determined whether the truth is a lie or not. This determines the door you go through. If it is a Truth you go through Door 2. And if it is a Lie you go through door number 1.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]If you However, get Risk. You must choose between Door Number 1 or Door Number 2 [/BCOLOR]​

 

[Cush Almighty]

Efarah and Ki-Rah made it to the Casino on time to begin their exam. The massive crowd hadn't dwindled by much still seen many familiar faces. The Casino was a grand site, Nothing Efarah had ever seen in his life before. The music they played was what he enjoyed listening to. Jazz helped him calm his nerves and put him to sleep. The sound of slot machines was something new, He wasn't the type to gamble after all. He heard one woman cheering as she had won a small fortune apparently. Efarah would have taken some time to go explore wanted to get to where the Exam was being hosted. He followed the rope to a theater where Ringo and Jin were waiting on a stage with two doors, One twin stood near one. With the microphone amplifying their voices that began to announce phase 1 of the Hunter Exam.

[SIZE=3

[BCOLOR=transparent]Gamble and Risk Phase 1[/BCOLOR][/SIZE] ]


[BCOLOR=transparent]Ringo smiled, twirling her pink locks around her finger. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Now, I'd first like to welcome you all to phase 1 of the Hunter Exam," Ringo pointed to two doors behind her, in the fancy theater.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"One of us is a liar," Jin added while blowing his pink bang out of his blues.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"And the other remains truthful," Ringo says, "Behind me is a wheel."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Jin points to a wheel with the words, Gamble or Risk on multicolored bands. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You will spin this wheel," Jin says, "When the wheel hits Truth."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You ask a question, and we give you an answer," Ringo responds, "You either tells us whether or not we're telling the truth."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Or a lie," Jin continued.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You won't will not know the answer, we will simply tell you to go either to the door behind me," Ringo said pointing back to the wooden door.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Or the door behind me," Jin said pointing to the door.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Those who spin on Risk," Ringo spoke more sinister now, giving them all a glower, "Will have to choose which door they think is the correct choice. And go through that door."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"The name of the game is Gamble and Risk," Jin responded.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ringo clapped her hands together.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Okay now that you know the rules, I want even split lines. One beside Jin and One Beside Me. And each of you will individually spin the wheel,"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]One of the candidates stood up.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Fuck this! This is some cheat! You're asking us to put faith in Luck!" shouted one of the candidates angrily.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"That is correct," Ringo responded, "When you're a hunter you do not have time to always calculate the answer. You must make a gamble and take the risk, then you must adapt for whatever circumstance is to occur."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Fuck you! Where's the real exam!" shouted another candidate.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]There was a loud uproar beginning to usher from the theater. And Ringo merely snapped her fingers and pointed to the two doors behind the candidates.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"This is your final chance, if you cannot trust in the decision you have made than you are not fit to be a Hunter and may leave now at any time,"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Several of the angry candidates stood up and began to pour out of the theater. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Now then, the unwilling have left, it is time to play Gamble or Risk!" Jin shouted.[/BCOLOR]

So they were being forced to take a chance by spinning a wheel. If they get the wrong door they lose and everything suddenly becomes worthless. The journey, The Training, All worthless because he gets the wrong door. Efarah realizes that he would be forced to take a chance and the men that ran off weren't serious about the exam after all. They must play their game if they want to move forward, Efarah only hoped that there wasn't a lion behind one of those doors.

"I hate taking risks." He whispered to himself as he began to get up from his seat. Efarah then got in line and waited for his turn to question Jin and Ringo. He walked up to the stage and came face to face with one of the pink haired twins, Examiner Jin. His thoughts of the two were written on his face. "THESE TWO ARE HUNTERS!" A thought that Efarah best keep a thought. He was making judgments off appearances alone but could you blame him? Ringo shorts were far too short for him and was making him feel a little awkward. The other thing that bothered him was the fact that she was a woman, The idea of a female Hunter was bizarre. Jin, Her brother looked like a pansy. He seemed weak, Weaker than his sister.

Wanting to get this game over with Efarah spun the wheel as hard as he could. He chooses not to speak to them or introduce himself. That was a waste of everyone's time and most importantly his. The wheel spun and spun until it began to slow. Efarah didn't care what he got, It was all chance anyway. Any fear was pointless and as they said he must trust in his gut.

The wheel stopped and the arrow was pointing at RISK. Efarah sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Okay, Better I don't have to deal with you two." Efarah looks at each door that Ringo and Jin stood in front of. Each door could be the possible end for him. He took a deep breath and made up his mind. "Jin, Please step aside." He asked politely. Jin did so with a smile on his face.

"Hope you're confident I that decision." Jin said still smiling. "Just imagine if it's the wrong door and everything turns out to be for nothing. That would suck so much, Ain't that right sis?" Jin asked his sister.

"You know it Jin, I would cry my eyes out if that was the case." She then smiled at Efarah, A devious look in her eyes. "You can change your decision if you wish." Ringo went on. "Second guessing oneself is okay, We won't hold it against you."

Efarah just ignored the two twins, He trusted neither of them. The were playing a game and trying to psych him. He has been to trust in his gut and he would do just that. Efarah walked past the two and put his hand on the door. Before he opens the door he turned his head towards the direction of Ki-Rah. "I'll see you on the other sides, Don't take forever dealing with these two knuckleheads." With that said, Efarah opens the door and walkd through into the unknown.

 

[ch0sen1]

[fieldbox="Lit, pink, dashed, 10, Tahoma"]

(( rolled a 84 via RANDOM.ORG - True Random Number Service ))

I listen to Norman explain that he's from Yorknew City. I'd heard of that place before, it seemed to be a real common place for applicants. It was a very large city indeed, almost as big as Neo City. When he answered that he wanted to be a Blacklist Hunter, I couldn't help but once him over a bit. I don't judge a book by it's cover, but it didn't look like he had pages enough to become a Blacklist. As the daughter of a detective I know that there are some very nasty people out there, ones that even pro Hunters have came to my mother for assistance. Sir Norman looked like he had a long way to go, then again so did I.

Norman: "What about you? What's your story? And perhaps more importantly...You wanna grab a bite together?"

He made a subtle gesture towards my stomach, as I mildly blush from him noticing. I wish I had time, but really I wanted to get to the casino. I look around for potential places to eat, and then I remember that in this commercial city, casinos probably had restaurants or something to at least snack on in them. I turn back to Norman, subtly avoiding his question about my history.

"Well, I sort of ordered a backpack online. It's from a store in the city, I requested to pay them extra if they hand deliver it to me here, so I can't move. Maybe after I get that, we can head into Lucky Coin and get a snack. There's simply not enough time for anything else."

I was the type to always calculate a step ahead. Even if we had an hour left, I'd treat it like half an hour. Seeing as how we had a little under half an hour, I treated it like ten minutes left. I didn't want to take any chances. In that span of time I watch all the applicants run by and head into the Lucky Coin Casino, some anxiety under my skin. What of this guy never comes? I would've wasted my money and time. I look to Norman and point to the casino.

"Applicants are starting to fill in, there's no use for you waiting on me. You should go ahead. I'll catch up."

The layer of rain continues to fall, as my clock shows there's only about ten minutes until the start of the exam. I sigh, thinking if I should just ditch the purchase and head into the Casino. Just then, I seen someone with a fresh looking backpack in their hands, tag and everything still on it. I raise my brows and lift my hand to catch his attention. We run to meet each other in the middle of the front entrance to the casino.

Vendor: "You the one that requested the backpack?"
"I did, here's the Jenny; it's all there. Thanks."
Vendor: "Wow! Yes, thank you! I should do this more often!"

With that, the vendor takes off into the rain and I remove the dress-made headwrap from my head, and I remove the jacket as well. I place both into the backpack, now in my original attire from when I got here. I zip the backpack up and with a surged facial expression I run into the casino. I didn't have time to admire the luxury of it all, quickly looking for something to eat. Instead of looking for a restaurant, my eyes lock onto a vending machine with different chips, candy, and other appetizing treats. I bring out my computer device and quickly approach the machine, bringing up an application that scanned the QR of the machine and I begin to place in the numbers to get some mini donuts and some sushi chips. The electronic exchange approves as the items drop out and I swiftly pick them up and drop them in the backpack. I place the pack on my back again and I zip into the room where all the applicants was. I was rushing like a psycho, the only downside of punctuality. In fact, I had 8 minutes of free time left. I sigh in relief and sift through the crowd of applicants and make my way to a corner near a grand stage, and I sit down. I calmly raise my snacks from my bag, take a deep breath, and begin to gobble them down like a pregnant foxbear. I got down to the last few donuts, and raised them above my head, knowing Norman was nearby. Might as well be polite.

"Take them."

Soon the jazz music seemed to get louder and the lights a bit brighter, as the stage somehow now had two doors, and none other than Ringo and Jin standing beside them. That was quick. I was impressed. I grab my pack and stand on my feet as the two looked like they were about to start some kind of game show. I munch on my food still as they begin to explain the phase of the hunter exam. This was it, I made it. Now I had to prove my worth. They begin to speak into the microphones they had in possession.

Gamble / Risk

Ringo smiled, twirling her pink locks around her finger.
"Now, I'd first like to welcome you all to phase 1 of the Hunter Exam," Ringo pointed to two doors behind her, in the fancy theater.
"One of us is a liar," Jin added while blowing his pink bang out of his blues.
"And the other remains truthful," Ringo says, "Behind me is a wheel."
Jin points to a wheel with the words, Gamble or Risk on multicolored bands.
"You will spin this wheel," Jin says, "When the wheel hits Truth."
"You ask a question, and we give you an answer," Ringo responds, "You either tells us whether or not we're telling the truth."
"Or a lie," Jin continued.
"You won't will not know the answer, we will simply tell you to go either to the door behind me," Ringo said pointing back to the wooden door.
"Or the door behind me," Jin said pointing to the door.
"Those who spin on Risk," Ringo spoke more sinister now, giving them all a glower, "Will have to choose which door they think is the correct choice. And go through that door."
"The name of the game is Gamble and Risk," Jin responded.

Ringo clapped her hands together.
"Okay now that you know the rules, I want even split lines. One beside Jin and One Beside Me. And each of you will individually spin the wheel,"
One of the candidates stood up.
"Fuck this! This is some cheat! You're asking us to put faith in Luck!" shouted one of the candidates angrily.
"That is correct," Ringo responded, "When you're a hunter you do not have time to always calculate the answer. You must make a gamble and take the risk, then you must adapt for whatever circumstance is to occur."
"Fuck you! Where's the real exam!" shouted another candidate.
There was a loud uproar beginning to usher from the theater. And Ringo merely snapped her fingers and pointed to the two doors behind the candidates.
"This is your final chance, if you cannot trust in the decision you have made than you are not fit to be a Hunter and may leave now at any time,"
Several of the angry candidates stood up and began to pour out of the theater.
"Now then, the unwilling have left, it is time to play Gamble or Risk!" Jin shouted.

Wow. I had to think that people would have more resolve than that. Leaving because you have to spin a wheel? It actually made me feel like I had a chance then, because if this was too much for them, no way they'd survive the other phases. I knew that much, no detective skills needed. People poured out as I walked past Norman, whispering a "Good Luck" to him as I got in the line where Ringo was. She did take me shopping after all. I watched the applicants move up and spin, one by one. With every choice of theirs being challenged by the two Hunters. Being the kid of a renown detective had its perks. I knew what to look for. Their reactions on every TRUTH, their reactions on every RISK. How they tried the psychological warfare on people's intuition. I simply remained quiet. And observant.

It was finally my turn to spin. Ringo's eyes lit up upon seeing me, and I just sort of awkwardly averted my gaze, but eventually I managed to return a generous nod. I spin the wheel and it seemed like time slowed down waiting for this thing to stop. Jin and Ringo looked sharply at the wheel, with my eyes watching the needle land on RISK. I fold my arms and made the best poker face you'd ever see. I break down the scenario.

One of us is a liar (Jin)
And the other remains truthful (Ringo)
You won't will not know the answer, we will simply tell you to go either to the door behind me (Ringo)
Or the door behind me (Jin)

It wasn't too hard to find the theme and pattern of the game. It was in their dialect. Projection.

"Sir Jin, please step aside."
Jin: "Ooooh, I dig the pink hair, so think...do you really--"

Like wind I walk past him without a second thought, his smile becoming a look of surprise as I ignored his words and cut him off from his speech. I look at Ringo with a look of determination, and then I entered the door.

[/fieldbox]

@Verite

 

[Sir Salty]

[BCOLOR=transparent]He was glad they had their talk. Somehow it felt like a great weight was lifted from his chest, but when it was his time. And he stood up on those steps. He met Ringo's eyes. She didn't say anything at first and she seemed defensive about allowing him to touch the dart board. Instead she asked.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"What's your reason for being here?" Ringo asked him.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"I'm allowed," Ki-Rah responded defiantly.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]It was clear to him, he should have known the examiners would have known who he was. She hesitated. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Step up, spin the board," Ringo told him, though there was some hesitation in her voice. And even her twin brother Jin seemed cautious. Ki stepped forward and grabbed the board, letting it spin. While he could feel the eyes of the candidates on his back. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]His eyes focused on the spinning letters, Risk, Truth, Risk, Truth. Colors spinning and blending into a pattern of red and white. The sound of jazz music getting dizzy. Like horrible white noise in the back of his mind, all he could hear was the fuzz at first. Focusing on a single detail.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You want to be a Hunter," his father's always sounded loud to him.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Yes," he replied without hesitation.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]His father in his mind would have always been taller than his family. He always pictured him as someone who made the rest of his family look like ants. But Ki-Rah knew that was impossible. Simply his father was always imposing and he had always been a small child compared to his father.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"I set you up in a cozy home, with a cozy life, and you want to become a Hunter," his father sounded disapproving.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Yes," he responded again without hesitation, he was not afraid of his father. He was, but didn't want to show it, "If I am not as powerful as my brothers and sisters. Then I'm unneeded. I can only be part of the family trade, if I am as powerful or near powerful as the Hunters. But I am not even that to you, am I?"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]His father merely glowered at him.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Children are so ungrateful today," his father told him, "I give you everything and you still cling onto the ridiculous notion of power."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You do!" Ki-Rah shouted, allowing a bit of his anger slip, "You want to be the most powerful! Why can't I!"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]His father stood above him, which had him take a step back.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"You want power!" his father didn't necessarily shout, but his voice was booming now, booming, stern, and scolding, "You want power, but don't know what it takes to get it! You're just a child. A child who has lived his life pampered. A child who lives on a ideal, because I allowed that ideal to fester inside of you. That seems to have been my mistake."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"But I-"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]His father raised his hand to command him to be silent. He saw his father smile. The smile was so twisted and so warped. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"If you want to be a Hunter, if you want to have power, very well you can become a Hunter," his father smiled, and his eyes gleamed which meant there was a catch, "But. You have to make a promise. If you want to be a Hunter. Become a Hunter more powerful than me, and when you're ready come out, seek me, and end me."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]His father thought the tactic would scare him, but Ki-Rah looked at him with determination.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"I promise to end you," he told his father.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Nay Boya! Risk!" Ringo's voice shouted. Ki-Rah saw the board on Risk. Risk, it was then. And the door he would choose would be the one Efarah chose.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Number 1," Ki said walking towards his destination with no hesitation in his voice.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Are you sure?" Ringo tried to plant hesitation in his mind as she had with Efarah.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"That's where Efa is at," Ki said and pushed past Jin. Who only looked sickened by his presence. Pallid in color as his aura seeped into him. When Ki pushed through the door, they were among the trees. Clean air, a forest, with thick trees that acted like barriers. A familiar monstrous aura was in the tree line somewhere, His eyes landed on Efa.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Hope I didn't make you wait long," Ki gave him a deadpan smile. [/BCOLOR]

 

[Verite]

Norman

"H-Hey, wai--!" Norman began to call after Lit when she'd initially run off to personally fetch her backpack, seeming to leave him in the dust. Humph. What was that all about? Did she not want him around or something? After all, he wouldn't have protested to at least escorting her to pick up her package, especially considering the rain that made the place hard to navigate through and... well, cold.

A part of him wanted to reason though that if she was a Hunter applicant, then that must have meant that at the very least, she was able to take care of herself. Even so, however, Norman couldn't help but worry about her just a little, though it couldn't be helped either way, as she had escaped his line of sight faster than he could register and subsequently follow, and before he knew it, he was left alone on the path to the Lucky Star Casino. Ack, what a pain. Well, he may as well keep going then. Who knows? Maybe he'd meet the girl inside later on? If not some other new friends, though knowing how competitive people could get about these trials, he personally didn't like his chances...

Norman was never much of a gambler. He didn't care all that much if he were called a chicken for it; he simply didn't like taking unnecessary risks, even if it meant a potentially high benefit if he was lucky. Norman didn't really trust his own luck, personally, and more than that, the simple fact was that he didn't have a great poker face.

As the open book he was, he wouldn't have done well at gambling, so when he'd enter the casino, the bespectacled young man would simply sit to the side, taking in all the sights around like before and letting himself dry off from the rain for... longer than he wanted to admit, as by the time he'd come to, roughly fifteen minutes or so at least had passed in the span of what felt like just a few seconds, though of course, it wasn't like nothing major happened. Even so, he figured he may as well stretch his legs, so... Hmm, where to go, he wondered?

Of course, fate would answer the question for him, as luck would have it, he'd spot Lit walking through the casino just then. If only out of the fact that she was like, the only person he knew there, and totally not because he was some creepy stalker or anything, the young man followed her, and before he knew it, he'd ended up standing before Ringo and Jin, who'd congratulate those who managed to make it here. Huh. Alright then. He attempted to reach Lit from there, but found himself becoming lost in the large crowd rather quickly, his sense of direction failing him here, so for the time being, he simply stayed where he was with a mildly defeated sigh, letting the two Hunters talk about the first trial... which was a game of... Gamble or Risk.

...

Wonderful.

The two biggest things Norman had little taste for. Gambling and taking risks. But then again, to be a Hunter meant trying new things, didn't it? Oh, bother.

Before he could even move, however, seemingly getting the drop on him, Lit would utter a hope of "Good luck" to him, surprising him to an extent. His eyes widened as such, but before he could even respond, she'd already gone past and made her move.

Well, he should probably do the same.

That said, when the time had finally come for him to spin, he would take a deep breath and attempt to compose himself, giving a nervous wave towards Ringo in order to convince himself that he was okay.

He was not okay.

In any case, no time to waste. Here... we... go!

...

Ah, wonderful. Perfect. Nothing to complain about here. Just the needle landing on a big... fat... RISK. Okay, okay. He could work through this. Uh... Hm. Well, considering that Lit, along with two other guys, seemed to pick Door 1, he was going to assume that was the safest bet. Besides, even if he was wrong, it was better to have some company while being wrong, right? With that said, making sure not to give himself any time to regret his decision, he'd rush towards that door, practically following after those who had walked in, giving a hurried "Hi!" and "Bye!" to Ringo in a matter of a second, and with that, the gang was all together, little would Norman realize at that time.

Oh, boy. Here we go.​

 

[Sir Salty]

[BCOLOR=transparent]To See Who is Clever[/BCOLOR]​

*Note; Since all of you went into the door behind Jin. You can ignore the Ringo text, the more important one will be the rules following Jin.

[BCOLOR=transparent]One Hundred Candidates Behind Door Number 1 [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ringo walks out from the door into a lush, vibrant forest. Where she cracks her knuckles and smiles cheaply.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"It's too bad, some of you even seemed to have potential too," she said as she flipped her hair to the side of her shoulder.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Ehh, what are you going on about?" asked a lanky individual standing above everyone else. One hundred heads looking up at Ringo. Who simply shrugged. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Well it's safe to say, that all of you have been disqualified from the exams," Ringo began.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]There was a loud uproar. As one hundred people began to shout all at once.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"What the fuck, that's entirely unfair!" shouted one of the large guys in a chef hat. Was he trying to be a Gourmet Hunter, she wondered?[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"That exam was totally rigged!"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"It was just based on dumb luck!"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ringo at first took a second. She seemed to still be smiling as one hundred individuals were yelling at her. She stretched her arms back.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Let me introduce you to a friend first," Ringo said snapping her fingers, "Oh Zevvy." Out from the shadows a man appeared, with long flowing jet black raven locks. His hair was so black, it almost didn't look like hair, but a mess of shadows. Like his hair was actually a portal for a different dimension.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]While an intimidating presence. Many of the group were looking at him, with half hearted interest. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Please stop calling me that," he whispered in his already ominous, calm, almost corpse like rasping to his voice.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"That's not a befitting way to speak to your future wife," Ringo told him. The one hundred disqualified potential hunters were now looking very confused. A woman who could have been considered a radiant sun, of light, and hope. And energy. Was betrothed to the complete opposite. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"We're not married, we're not engaged. Please get what you need to say out," he responded. She pointed to the man.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"This is Zevan, he's a friend of the association. And this is your only warning. If you don't follow the rules or you cause a ruckus. Zevan will be glad to escort you out like the gentleman he is," Ringo was still smiling.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Pfft, he doesn't look powerful," the tall man, with a long mane of brown gray hair, with a hunched over back, looking a bit like a beast man snarled.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]The man opened his eyes to reveal his piercing, red wine gaze.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Looks can be very deceiving," the man continued speaking in a low register that barely came off as a whisper. The beast man however appeared to be paralyzed by fear. A cold shiver ran through his spine.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Thank you Zevvy for the demonstration," Ringo said now clinging onto his arm. Zevan gave her a pathetic plea of discomfort.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Business," Zevan told her. Ringo pouted.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Right. Well, as I was saying before all you interrupted me, is that all of you are disqualified from the exam. But see there's a technicality. As you can see all of your shirts are unmarked. You don't have your entrance numbers yet. Thus you haven't really signed up for the exam," Ringo paused only to wink at the disgruntled crowd, "Somewhere out of this forest, is a path that will take you across a large body of water. Which will in fact take you to Hunter City. Where you will get your entrance numbers," Ringo paused as she heard someone murmur. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Got something to say?" Ringo asked.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]But the creature that looked like a frog, merely nervously looked at Zevan and said nothing. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"As I was saying. On the other side of this forest, my brother is giving the hunters who have not been disqualified from the exam artifacts. They are being told all they have to do is take the artifact to Hunter City and they will qualify for the exam.. What he hasn't told them, is that those who are currently disqualified. Must steal an artifact from those who already qualify, to qualify to be entered into the final exam with numbered patches,"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Zevan looked at Ringo.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"I'm being called elsewhere," he said taking a bow and leaving. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ringo said nothing at first.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"The name of the game is Snatch n Steal," Ringo said, "I forgot to mention to get to Hunter City. It take a normal person two days to get there. That's 48 hours. You'll have 24 hours to steal an artifact, and to get to Hunter City."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ringo smiled.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Happy hunting,"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]To Play Snatch n Steal[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]You have been currently disqualified from the exam, but because you have not registered nor gotten your number tags you may qualify for the exam and reinstate your presence into the next Phases by[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]-Stealing an Artifact from those who have qualified and been given artifact [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]-Those who have Qualified and Been Given an Artifact, do not know the other Hunters who have been disqualified are going to try and take their Artifacts[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]-You may try to steal the artifacts in anyway you can, but cannot Kill a Fellow Hunter in the process, nor Severely Injure another Hunter. If you do, you will be removed from the location[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]**[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]Meanwhile, behind Door Number 2, 100 with Jin[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]On the opposite side of the forest, 100 other potential Hunters gathered around Jin. Surrounded by several trees and several miles apart, they could not hear the conversation happening with Ringo. Instead Jin dug out some earwax out of his ears before clapping his hands in celebration.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Congratulations," Jin said, "Your group has qualified for the exam. Any group with Ringo in Door Number 2 is being given the news that they have been disqualified and will more than likely be told to take their things and go home."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Jin nodded.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"And they had such potential," Jin said, "With me I have 50 statues. There is 100 of you. Divide yourself as you like. Your goal now is to survive and get your entry number."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]The group seemed relaxed. Excited in fact. The statues were creepy looking skulls, painted with that fake gold metal paint you see. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"How you're going to survive is up to you," Jin said, "See along this path, is a large body of water. That you'll have to cross, to get where we call Hunter City. Hunter City is where they will write your name in the entry book and you will be given a number tag."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"The number tag is what you want, it means you're an official entry in the rest of the exams," Jin said, "Except we have to go over some rules first. I have to introduce you to a friend."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Jin snapped his fingers. A man with raven black hair came out of the shadows. His disposition still made even the most relaxed, comfortable group nervous. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"This is Zevan," Jin said, "He'll be watching. There are a few rules. If you attack an examiner, you will be automatically disqualified. And my friend Zevan will be glad to escort you out. If you cause too much of a ruckus. My friend Zevan will gladly escort you out. If you attack a fellow Hunter for no other reason than self defense or because of an exam condition, my friend Zevan will gladly escort you out. The same rule applies for killing another fellow Hunter. My frie-"[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"-we're not friends," Zevan finally cut off Jin with a look of annoyance.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"-Zevan will escort you out," Jin continued.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Jin cracked his knuckles.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Okay now that is out of the way, the name of the game is No Pain no Gain," Jin said, "And I forgot to mention. To get to Hunter City normally takes 2 days or 48 hours to get there. You will be given 24 hours to reach Hunter City." Jin paused, "I also didn't mention. The weight of the statues will change throughout the day. Sometimes the statue will be as light as feather. Other times the statue will weigh as heavy as a bear."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]To Play No Pain no Gain[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]-To get your entrance number, you must get to Hunter City in 24 hours[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]-You must escort a statue, with your team, across a large body of water to Hunter City[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]Your Teams Are;[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]Norman, Ki, Efarah, Lit [/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]Rival 1, Zell, Wish, Rival 4[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]-The Statue Will Change its Weight during the course of the day[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]-The Disqualified Team doesn't know the weight of the statues change [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]-You don't know the Disqualified team needs to steal your artifacts [you know until they attack you in the next round of posting][/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Weight of the Statue[/BCOLOR]
​

[BCOLOR=transparent]On your post, roll a d90. Roll a D100 Every Other Post Essentially and only Roll if you're carrying the statue [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]1-50 = statue weighs the heaviest, it will be hard to carry without your full strength, think a good 100 to 120 pounds[/BCOLOR]


51-70 - statue weighs 60 to 90 pounds

71-89- Statue weighs between 50 to 80 pounds

90- Statue is as light as a feather

The Map You are Given of the Forest, note not of accurate size. Forest is huge! But this just dots the important bits. You are on the Right side with the J. Proceed how you like



Map Legend

Black Solid Lines are Known Paths and You Should Act as Those Paths Are Known

Gray Lines are Proxy Paths You DO NOT Know, this alternative path depends on plot element things

 

[ch0sen1]

[fieldbox="Lit, pink, dashed, 10, Tahoma"]

I walk past the door as it spins into a rotating door. Darkness filled my vision for a moment as a churning sound from the door ceased, bringing me out into a wide and vast forest with several trees in the area. Bewilderment stuck my face as I'd just left a stage and arrived in the woods, what kind of magic was this? Maybe some sort of transport system that takes you to the outskirts of Ezeburg City. My boots step into the damp soil in the grass, with a few applicants looking at me as I entered. I wander over to a small platform near some strange statues and relax. I guess that means I made it? Though I had to admit, if it was really a matter of chance in picking a door to qualify, that was a very skewed and horrible way to eliminate applicants. What if the cream of the crop went in the other door? They'd be cut just like that?

I watch as person after person, more people come in this side of the door, looking just as surprised that they're now in the woods. I finally see Norman come through, as I stand up from the platform and dust my clothes off. He walks by, not even spotting me out of the hundred or so applicants. I wait until he gets within ear reach and I speak into his passing ear.

"I see you made it. Guess the luck paid off huh?"

As soon as I spoke however, a hand touches my shoulder, looking back to see pink hair and a rather piercing stare.

Jin: "Away from the statues, please."

I step back as I led the group of one hundred. This was weird, over 1,000 applicants, and many walked out of the lucky stage part, and now you mean to tell me there's only 100 left? This was just the beginning. Something was odd, something was inconsistent. I pondered on the twist that had to be on the horizon. It wasn't hard to imagine that the hunters had something planned unknown to us. Jin claps his hands and gets my attention, as well as everyone around me.

Qualified

"Congratulations," Jin said, "Your group has qualified for the exam. Any group with Ringo in Door Number 2 is being given the news that they have been disqualified and will more than likely be told to take their things and go home."

Jin nodded.

"And they had such potential," Jin said, "With me I have 50 statues. There is 100 of you. Divide yourself as you like. Your goal now is to survive and get your entry number."

The group seemed relaxed. Excited in fact. The statues were creepy looking skulls, painted with that fake gold metal paint you see.

"How you're going to survive is up to you," Jin said, "See along this path, is a large body of water. That you'll have to cross, to get where we call Hunter City. Hunter City is where they will write your name in the entry book and you will be given a number tag."

"The number tag is what you want, it means you're an official entry in the rest of the exams," Jin said, "Except we have to go over some rules first. I have to introduce you to a friend."

Jin snapped his fingers. A man with raven black hair came out of the shadows. His disposition still made even the most relaxed, comfortable group nervous.

"This is Zevan," Jin said, "He'll be watching. There are a few rules. If you attack an examiner, you will be automatically disqualified. And my friend Zevan will be glad to escort you out. If you cause too much of a ruckus. My friend Zevan will gladly escort you out. If you attack a fellow Hunter for no other reason than self defense or because of an exam condition, my friend Zevan will gladly escort you out. The same rule applies for killing another fellow Hunter. My frie-"

"-we're not friends," Zevan finally cut off Jin with a look of annoyance.

"-Zevan will escort you out," Jin continued.

Jin cracked his knuckles.

"Okay now that is out of the way, the name of the game is No Pain no Gain," Jin said, "And I forgot to mention. To get to Hunter City normally takes 2 days or 48 hours to get there. You will be given 24 hours to reach Hunter City." Jin paused, "I also didn't mention. The weight of the statues will change throughout the day. Sometimes the statue will be as light as feather. Other times the statue will weigh as heavy as a bear."

What?? So we haven't even gotten to the ACTUAL hunter exam yet? This was just a preliminary course of action? I hear the rumbles of excitement behind me, but I stayed focused. I knew better. That man named Zevan gave off a creepish and eerie vibe. I could tell he was an earnest man, yet brooding underneath. Norman was the only person I knew, so I quickly grabbed him and took him aside near the statues while Jin was wrapping up his speech. Ringo was a Hunter already, so her instincts had to be sharp by default. Saying that Norman had something in him held weight with me...that we both were special. So even though I was skeptical about him, I would trust her instincts. Not everyday you get tips from a Pro Hunter. Now it was time to prove my value, even if I didn't know Norman's yet.

"Hey, I have an idea. We have to take a statue to Hunter City correct? Then...."

I whisper into Norman's ear my plan, judging by his look, he may seem to be in board with it. I hand Norman the statue and I subtly do a quick maneuver and put my backpack on my back, making sure the fit is tight and snug. I guess Ringo leading me to shop was a help after all. I take out a small pellet and touch the statue that Norman's holding. I place the pellet back into my pocket. Just in case Norman is confused I explain.

"The pellets contain what's called a Needle Bug. It's a pin sized mircodart that contains a GPS mapping chip in it. So in case you ever drop or misplace the statue along the way, we can track it. We should get moving. Now. Everyone else is still deciding on what to do and we only have 24 hours. It'd be good to get a head start."

With that, I begin to walk, making sure that I stay close to Norman while he carries the statue. As I walk my back starts to strain a tad, so I try to stretch it as I walk with the backpack on my back. My calm face starts to become washed with a grimace as I trek near Norman...but for some reason, I notice applicants eyeing us. One was a dark haired boy, looked about my age, and another with silver hair and golden piercing eyes. There were others, but these two stuck out the most.

I really hope this works...


[/fieldbox]

@Verite 35

 

[Sir Salty]

[BCOLOR=transparent]So the rumors were true from as far as he could tell. The Hunter Exams had gotten tougher and tougher over the years accepting less and less Hunters to actually pass. He wondered if this had to do anything with the rumor of Zapoh being very anti violence. From what Wish had caught from the conversations his father had with other Hunters, was that Zapoh believed the world would only be brought to peace when less people were given the tools of destruction. Still he couldn't believe that just 1,000 people had turned to 100 people. There had to be a catch. While Jin was speaking Wish spent the time searching, looking for any detail that could give him the advantage.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]The man, Zevan. As creepy as he was, something didn't seem right. If Zevan was suppose to be their security, why hadn't he just stayed by Jin's side? Why did he come from the other side of the forest? Something was afoot for all Wish could tell. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Turning to his team. Whom he had smoothed over during their train ride. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Fair warning, there might be a trick to this exam, it almost seems too easy," Wish told them, before turning his gaze onto his true prize in all of this. He only needed to observe at this moment. He'd be the one to give the orders of when to divert.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]**[/BCOLOR]
[BCOLOR=transparent]GM Note: I forgot to mention in the map Jin gives you, you can't see the R on the map, you can only see the J[/BCOLOR]
​

[BCOLOR=transparent]@ch0sen1 @Cush Almighty @Verite [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]1,000 to 100? That was over 900 people already gone and in the preliminary rounds of the exams? Ki-Rah gave Efarah a face that reflected his thoughts without a word. Something didn't sit right with him about this whole situation at all. Beyond that, he was starting to wonder if the whole exam was going to be this boring. Seemed like someone had really undercut the amount of brutality the exams in the last years. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Boring exam so far," Ki-Rah mumbled to Efarah.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]The man on the train, was Zevan. And only security? Ki whispered to Efa while Jin was still talking, "Looks like you were wrong. He just glorified security."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]While Efa mumbled some responses, the group of 100 began to separate out into a group. It seemed strange to Ki-Rah that they needed a group to continue with the exam, but he was watching as people began to group up together. Some of the groups had very large people, other groups had very tall people, muscular girls, skinny girls. But Ki-Rah's eyes landed on a backpack.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Then he looked up catching a girl's gaze. She had pink hair and seemed overtly dressed for a high stake adventure. Ki didn't really wait for Efa as he stepped forward and pointed to the girl's backpack.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"That seems useful," Ki responded, "Let us be part of your group. I rather not have to drag a statue all the way across a pond in my two hands. That seems a useless thing to do."[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]He looked at Efa. This was okay, right?[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]With the statue had come a map and Ki-Rah also didn't wait for her response to snatch it out of her hands. She looked offended and like she was about to say something.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Just listen," Ki said showing her the map, he pointed to the map with only the J on it, "That J represents us I guess. The trails take 4 hours. There's 100 people here, who have all split into groups of 3, 4, or 5. They are all going to down these paths. While I'm not sure the trick of this exam. Don't think any of these groups will try to push us out of the way. Your best bet is to cut along the treeline and walk from the paths on the other side." Ki was tracing the path with his finger, also looking a little smug for his smart planning. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Also he was trying to show the girl why she should let him and Efarah join their group. It was then Ki finally noticed a person who had slipped under his radar. A four eyes wearing glasses kid. At least the exam had been relatively safe, cause the kid looked like he could get his glasses cracked and someone have to break him out in a pinch.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ki-Rah took another second, he was forgetting something always forgetting something.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"I'm Ki-Rah," he emphasized on the pause of his name, he wasn't a Kira, which some lady at one of the hotels he was staying at before he met Efarah kept calling him. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Was he being too abrasive? Ki-Rah just waited for either the four eyes or the girl to say something. Or he'd start walking towards what he thought was the best path. [/BCOLOR]

 

[Cush Almighty]

After walking out the door Efarah was met with a forest and other hunter candidates. He waited for the others candidates to finish hoping Ki would be one of them and he was. After the two paired up, Jin started to explain how this part of the exam will go. They would be given a golden skull and would need to reach Hunter city within 24 hours with it. The average journey was usually 48 hours. They would also have to cross a body of water to make it to Hunter City. There you would be given a tag which will really qualify them for the exam.

Ki-Rah said this exam was boring, but Efarah felt differently. Things were getting interesting now. They must do a seemingly impossible task just to actually get a badge that allows them to move on. This challenge was forcing them to work together and trust others. He didn't care for that part, Trusting strangers isn't something he liked to do. He was sure Ki was the only one he needed to trust to pass.
Jin then introduced security them to Security, Zevan, The man he had encounter twice now. Ki then whispered to Efarah on how he was wrong about Zevan being an examiner. "I was close." He quickly responded.

After explaining Zevan's duty, Jin adds one last thing, The status would change their weight over the course of the day. The weight would vary from as heavy as a rock, light as a feather or the weight of a skull. Jin called it a game, The pink haired twins seemed to love games. This game was called No Pain, No Gain. It also seemed that the number of Hunters dropped greatly. Now there was only 100 of them compared to 1000 of them earlier. He figured at least half would make it past this part.

The other candidates had begun to pair up, Desperately trying to get a decent group together. Efarah only needed one teammate and he was right beside him. He then notices his teammate had started running towards a boy and a girl and starting speaking to them. Efarah wasn't to follow, But knew he had no choice but to.

[BCOLOR=transparent]"That seems useful," Ki said obviously looking at the girl's backpack. "Let us be part of your group. I rather not have to drag a statue all the way across a pond in my two hands. That seems a useless thing to do." He had spoken for Efarah and was forcing him to work with stranger sand a girl at that. This would only complicate thing now. Ki looked at him as if he was asking if this was okay and Efarah only glared at him with his treasured eyes. "You know how I feel about working with strangers!" He mentally shouted at Ki-Rah.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Ki didn't wait for her response and snatch the map from her hands. "That J represents us I guess. The trails take 4 hours. There's 100 people here, who have all split into groups of 3, 4, or 5. They are all going to down these paths. While I'm not sure the trick of this exam. Don't think any of these groups will try to push us out of the way. Your best bet is to cut along the treeline and walk from the paths on the other side." He explained showing the path they would following with his figure. He was trying to show off his skills in planning, Trying to earn their spot on the in her group.[/BCOLOR]

Efarah kept his distance from this and stayed in the background watching. He wanted to see how the girl and boy would react. He didn't need them to join them, But Ki seemed to think otherwise. The two didn't look like they could help them much anyway. He would have to keep an eye on the two if they join. The boy with the glasses might be a wolf in sheep's clothing. He looked unthreatening and a pushover, but, Efarah had heard of some people who enjoyed removing the competition through tricks or murder. He also heard about a guy who targets rookies and sets them up for failure. The fact of the matter was he didn't know these two and he wasn't going to trust them.

No matter their choice, Efarah started to follow Ki-Rah knowing he was the only person he was able to trust in this forest. He would remain silent and keep his eyes on his surroundings. Others had already started it seemed as most of the 100 candidates were gone.

 

[Verite]

Norman

Alright, alright. A lot of info. Time to process. Where to begin from here?

So he'd managed to reunite with Lit, and found himself in the company of a whole bunch of other prospective Hunters who made the same choice as he did. When the news was broken that those who had chosen the other door had been disqualified, the young man couldn't help but shudder quite a bit. So this was how things worked around here, huh? Just a taste of what the Hunter Exam was like; one wrong move, and it was all over. He gulped a bit, almost feeling a bit disheartened, though shook his head before it could get the better of him, as though trying to shake the thoughts of hesitation out of his mind. Reluctance was something that was only gonna slow him down. After all, it was do or don't, and if he could help it, then Norman would do everything in his power to make sure he "did."

"I see you made it. Guess the luck paid off huh?"

Lit's voice snapped him back to reality, seemingly doing a better job at diverting his focus than his own active efforts. Clearing his throat, he'd give the younger girl a smile and a nod.

"Yeah... Guess it did, though for how much longer it'll keep me going, I wonder. I suppose I really will have to start getting serious about this, huh?" He inquired, sheepishly scratching the back of his head with a small laugh, before stopping and listening when Jin would begin to speak, explaining the mechanics of the next part of the exam.

...

"With me I have 50 statues. There is 100 of you. Divide yourself as you like. Your goal now is to survive and get your entry number."

Oh. Cheery. Skull statues that varied in weight. How wonderful. Norman could already envision the thought of him being left in the dust, since lifting strength wasn't exactly his forte, though... Then again, if he had Lit on his side, perhaps they'd be able to at least switch who had to hold it, right?

"Hey, I have an idea. We have to take a statue to Hunter City correct? Then...."

...

Of course, that was what he thought at first, before Lit would seem to be a step ahead of him, going up to him and whispering something in his ear shortly after Jin would finish speaking and introducing a very, very (read: not at all) friendly looking fellow called Zevan. Was she crazy or what? That kind of plan... Well, maybe on paper, it worked, but... Oh. She did it anyway. Well, whatever. She seemed fairly confident in herself, so maybe it would do him some good to be confident in her as well. At least, as much as he could be confident today.

After Lit would explain the mechanics of the little pellet she'd placed on the statue they'd picked, Norman was ready to go, not even taking note of the dark haired boy and the silver-haired young man. That is, not at first, of course. Not until they'd suddenly pop into the picture, and the raven haired boy would snatch the map right out of Lit's hands, before moseying on into their group and explaining their best course of action like they were all gonna cooperate together.

... They were all gonna cooperate together, weren't they? Oh, lord. With how the boy seemed so sure that they'd accept, they didn't really have a choice. Especially since it seemed like he had a game plan to get them ahead. Of course, Norman remained apprehensive. For all he knew, this could be a classic case of Rookie Killing; leading them right into a trap. That said, he'd have to be cautious of this fellow. And his reticent friend.

"Well, if you're that confident in your plan, then I'll let you lead then," Norman simply said to the young man who would introduce himself as Ki-Rah, adjusting his glasses, "I'm Norman... if we're gonna be working together as a team..."

With that, taking the statue in his hands (or at least, attempting to), he'd get ready to move.

---

Ema

"Well, I guess that's the point of the challenge - to hunt for the trick, huh?" Ema Claythorne suggested, casually running a hand through her long black hair, in response to her dear partner, Wish. So far, the exam had been a piece of cake for Ema. Though a part of her continued to remain relaxed as she looked, there was another part, naturally, that was wary. What sort of underhanded tricks did they have up their sleeve waiting for them, she wondered?

Of course, it mattered little to her either way, as she was practically raised on the streets, which was full of treacherous people and events, so this should all be in the bag.

... So long as the others in her party did their job.

"So, we're not gonna make a lady like me and a cute little girl here carry the heavy little statue, riiight?~" Ema inquired to the others in her team with a playful wink, putting a hand on Wish's shoulder in a friendly manner.

... Seemed she still thought Wish was actually a girl.​

 

[ch0sen1]

[fieldbox="Lit, pink, dashed, 10, Tahoma"]

We'd traveled on the path for quite a short bit, I could hear Norman's steps behind me in tow with the statue. I look at the trees in all their lush green nature, and then the sound of very quiet steps started to make the hairs on the back of my head stand up. I sharply turn my neck to see the same void haired boy from before, complete with his silver haired companion with the eyes. I said nothing, I simply braced myself for the worst. I gripped my backpack tightly and continued to walk as normal.

?: "That seems useful. Let us be part of your group. I rather not have to drag a statue all the way across a pond in my two hands. That seems a useless thing to do."

I noticed that the two were without a statue themselves, and my wary side begin to kick in. They may try to take ours for themselves. I look at Norman, and then back at the two other boys. The dark haired one walks up and snatched the map from my hands, and the split second I was about to reply-- no, attack, he opened his mouth in a very calm demeanor.

?: "Just listen. That J represents us I guess. The trails take 4 hours. There's 100 people here, who have all split into groups of 3, 4, or 5. They are all going to down these paths. While I'm not sure the trick of this exam. Don't think any of these groups will try to push us out of the way. Your best bet is to cut along the treeline and walk from the paths on the other side."

Oh, wow. A modern day genius. I already knew his type. Young, mysterious, self-assuming. Nine times out of ten they always had some sort of repressed baggage on the inside of them. While looking at the path ahead, I snatched the map right back from the boy, not even bothering to look at him, but he seemed intrigued in Norman though. He probably thought the same thing I did when I first met him. His face was smug at his own wit, but I countered with a very casual and not impressed facial expression.

"I've already thought to do that, but not until further down the road. You do it early, people see you divert and begin ambushes and tricks....sort of like the vibe I'm getting with you and glitter-hair behind you. And I'll say this as respectful as I can: Don't touch me or any of my belongings again. Please?"

After a moment, it would seem that they were still following us. I was starting to become annoyed. The dark haired one broke the silence with introducing himself as Ki-Rah. He put a lot of emphasis on the Ki and Rah. I sigh under my breath, ignoring him and his friend, stretching my back as I walked along the path. With that I keep walking smoothly, controlled, and then my blood rushes hot at the sound of Norman giving his name to these people. Idiot. They could very well be pirates, bandits, you name it. They certainly looked weird enough.

Norman: "Well, if you're that confident in your plan, then I'll let you lead then, I'm Norman... if we're gonna be working together as a team..."

I stopped dead motion. It seemed to naturally make everyone else stop as well. Without a word I start to head into the woods alongside the path, to avoid detection and well...the three boys that were with me. I wanted to be alone. Three voices and three people together, especially ones I didn't know was too much.

"Maybe we should split up. I'll take this side of the path, and you guys should take that side. This way we're all concealed from eye view. Norman has the statue, so if you really want to help, protect him and look out for him. And then hold the statue too. I will not let that statue go in this backpack, nor will I carry that statue unless it turns lightweight."

It sounded like I was being very cold and mean, actually a part of that was true. Norman was so accepting and gullible that he could have just made friends with the wolves in wolf clothing. But also, I looked at Norman thinking about the plan. He knew why I was being this way, and it was a great way to test these boys motives. If they tried something I suppose I would back Norman up, but then let him stew in his mistake for trusting them. If it even comes to that. They could actually be benevolent, but in this exam, you must prepare for every scenario. I didn't introduce my name for a reason, and it seems the silver haired boy didn't give his name as well. He was quiet, and watching...just like me. We needed to pick up time, walking was not going to cut it. We only had a day to get there, and who knows what the examiners have planned. I started a slow jog along the cut.

"Norman, I'm going to scout ahead."

I could feel the strain as I ran, but I had to keep pushing. I can rest when I die. For now, I have to live.


@Clyde
@Verite 27
@Cush Almighty





[/fieldbox]

 

[Sir Salty]

[BCOLOR=transparent]The Encounter[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]@ch0sen1[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]Perhaps Lit biggest mistake was her arrogance. As she ran through to scout ahead by herself. A massive shadow began to form in front of her. She nearly had to slow on her heels as quickly as she could as a man stood before her. Tall, and well built. He had tattoos on his back and opted to not wear a shirt. He simply smirked.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Are you one of the candidates? Then I'm afraid I need your statue," he told her.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]

[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]@Verite, @Cush Almighty[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]While Lit ran off on her own to scout ahead of them, it was clear to them in the distance there was a silhouette beside her. But before they could move they were surrounded by another group of men. Their ring leader with no shirt beside a jacket and a sword. And two other guys who looked worthless, yet may be useful still.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Children," the ring leader smirked.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]

[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Hey babies, gives us your statue!" yelled the arrogant looking one.[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]

[/BCOLOR]​

[BCOLOR=transparent]The other man stayed behind and simply cracked his knuckles. [/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"We really wouldn't want to have to hurt children" he mumbled behind the group.[/BCOLOR]

​

 

[Cush Almighty]

Efarah remained reclusive, not speaking to anyone including Ki. The boy he had just 'grouped' up with introduced himself as Norman if that was his real name. Nothing wrong with giving out his first name as it's nothing without the last. He took a hold of the statue for whatever reason, maybe he wanted to be useful or just didn't trust them, not wanting to lose their statue. Efarah or Ki had no intention to do harm to them, still, Norman had just met them and shouldn't trust them. The girl seems to make it clear she didn't trust them. She had snatched her map back and ask politely for them not to touch her things. She was drawing the line there and out of respect, Efarah had no intention of crossing it. She then made a sudden stopped causing everyone else to do the same. She then spoke.

"Maybe we should split up. I'll take this side of the path, and you guys should take that side. This way we're all concealed from eye view. Norman has the statue, so if you really want to help, protect him and look out for him. And then hold the statue too. I will not let that statue go in this backpack, nor will I carry that statue unless it turns lightweight."

Efarah grunted in response not liking this girl's attitude. He kept silent and kept following.

She then stopped the group and suggested scouting ahead, leaving her 'friend' alone with them. She obviously didn't trust Efarah and Ki and must not care for Norman's own safety. She moved on ahead leaving little time for rebuttal she had jogged off. Efarah then turned to Norman keeping a stoic look on his face. "I wouldn't have left my friend with two strangers, I'm guessing you two just met today?" He asked him returning his eyes back to the road.

Suddenly, A group of 3 men had surrounded them and up ahead he could see someone had confronted her. The 3 men surrounding them had demanded their statue not wanting to get violent. Two of them carried weapons, A dagger and a kind of sword he has never seen before. He swiftly reached into his satchel and pull out his 9mm handgun. His arm was stiff and eyes cold. He then spoke as he kept the gun on the man with the odd sword. "That's not happening." He frankly told them frankly. "Back off now or I'll put one between your eyes." He started to softly pull the trigger. "You're weapons are obviously inferior to mind. I could shoot at least two of you and let my friend take out who's ever left. Go bother some other group of people for their statue." He would shoot them, but no vital areas to ensure they wouldn't die.

He looked down at Ki-Rah hoping he could control his bloodlust and not maim these men like earlier. He was a little worried for arrogant girl ahead of them. She may not be a friend but wouldn't fill comfortable about letting her get hurt.

 

[Verite]

Norman

Plenty a turn of events had transpired indeed. If there was one thing he could certainly say about the Hunter Exam, it was far from uneventful, and just to think that they were only in the beginning of the exam by all accounts. He didn't dare fathom what later trials waited for them, but of course, there was a time to think on that, and now was perhaps not exactly the best time.

...

The bespectacled young man was about to call out to Lit before she'd left, but he stopped before uttering anything, seeming to either catch on to whatever she had intended or resigning simply because he didn't want to waste time debating with someone else, as in his experience, people were stubborn in what they wanted to do. Fickleness was a surprisingly rare trait when it came to matters of seriousness, and Lit was likely no exception. As she ran off, Norman could only hope that she wouldn't get herself in too much danger. Even if she could take care of herself, this place was unpredictable to say the least, but of course, he trusted her. Frankly, Norman felt a bit out of place. Lit and the other two men all seem like they've seen their fair share of violence and conflict in their lives, and the blonde was not oblivious to his comparatively wide eyes and brighter demeanor.

When Efarah began speaking to Norman, carrying the statue for him as they'd walk, the young man furrowed his brow, thinking on his words for a brief moment, before beginning to reply. "Well... Ah, yeah. We did meet today..." He said somewhat sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. He would have liked to say more, but before he was able to do so, three rather unfriendly looking men appeared before the group, and it seemed like they didn't exactly have a statue of their own, so of course, what they were after was simple.

By nature, Norman liked to believe that he was at least considered a "non-violent" person, despite the self-defense knowledge he had under his belt. Even so, he wasn't a pacifist by any means. The world was cruel, and sometimes, the best way to survive was to be cruel back, whether in small or large measures. It was like a jungle, and in the jungle, the strongest survived. Admittedly, the expressions on the men's faces intimidated Norman a tad, but he stood his ground, attempting to match their glares with his own.

"I'm afraid that we need this statue to pass the exam. Sorry that you couldn't nab your own, but... We really need to pass, if you don't mind," Norman spoke, placing his hands on the twin tonfa attached to his belt, like a cowboy preparing to draw his guns in an old movie or so. This was likely about to get messy, and he could only hope that Efarah and Ki-Rah weren't the horrifyingly psychotic murderous types underneath their cool-headed exteriors.

Right?​

 

[Cush Almighty]

[BCOLOR=transparent]

[/BCOLOR]

[BCOLOR=transparent]"Fair warning, there might be a trick to this exam, it almost seems too easy," [/BCOLOR]

Moove had been smoking on his pipe while the exam was being explained. He didn't answer Wish and took her little warning as it was. He wasn't worried, He would pass no matter what. What Moove thought of Wish was that she was a little brat. He did find the kid to be quite cunning. She was able to convice him to join this little group they have here after all. He watched Ema put her hand on Wish's shoulders and gave him a playful look with a wink. "So, we're not gonna make a lady like me and a cute little girl here carry the heavy little statue, riiight?~"

Moove looked at Ema and laughed, his voice was deep and strong. He was tall and powerful, surely able to lift the statue and carry it but why should he? His tattoo hand covered in tribal marks removed the pipe from his mouth and dumped the content on to the ground. He then stomped on it and shot them a smug smile as he put the pipe in his inner jacket pocket. "You light-weights need a big strong man like me to do the heavy lifting, huh? What if I just wanted to be trouble and refuse, Eh Ema?" He would take the statue since he figure he was the strongest of the butch. He mearly wanted to see what Ema and Wish would say.​

 

[ch0sen1]

[fieldbox="Lit, pink, dashed, 10, Tahoma"]

I was jogging up ahead, my back feeling bold and strong underneath the weightless and crisp air around me. I was a good distance away from the boys, but also not far away to where they couldn't lay eyes on me. And I would be thankful for my tactic very soon, as all my instincts and proper second nature kicked into immediate synapse as a large shadow formed in front of me. With impressive agility I come to a rapid halt, as a very defined, rather handsome man formed in front of me. My eyes go wide for a split second, and then they regress back to an analytical fortitude. He smirked as thorned tribal tattoos covered his torso. His white hair seemed to glow with the dew of the forest. I ready a stance as he bears into my eyes, his almost wolf-like and cold.

Man: "Are you one of the candidates? Then I'm afraid I need your statue"

I look back in the distance to see the three boys, also surrounded by some opposition as well. I could only hope Norman and the other two could protect that statue. If not, then we were going to have a hassle on our hands. I look back at the man, who seemed to lose his smirk when I stood upright, even taking a step toward him.

"You must've have come from the opposite direction. Clearly you haven't been tailing me otherwise you'd know that a scout isn't stupid enough to have the item you desire....it's the whole purpose of being a scout, which is to scout. My group is back there, about to subdue those men attacking them, so if you want the statue I suggest you try there, and if they are with you...then that means it's an organized effort. I didn't see you at the entrance which means you're either a hunter or you're one of the ones that was disqualified. Either way, I don't have what you're looking for."

The man looks towards Norman and company, then smirks, looking at me again. He was about to speak until I interrupted him.

"I'm not finished. I would highly suggest that you don't try anything, and if you do, don't think just because I'm a 17 year old girl I won't ruin you. I've trained with CELL, even the most respected hunters have heard of it. The most elite private military in the world."
Man: "Wait....you're 17!? You look... more mature. Hmph, no matter. Your friends can't save you or that statue from being taken. I'm a living shadow. Which means I--"
"Which means you think you're untouchable, you've been lied to."

The man's face goes skeptic.

"It's okay, many people have the false illusions that shadows are intangible things. While they are not objects and have no mass, there will be diffraction at the edges of the shadow and/or the shadow may be imperfect or the shadow of a gauze shade or infrared radiation passing through an otherwise dark spectrum - in such cases and probably more besides, there will be radiation pressure on the surface on which the otherwise shaded light will impinge. Such a pressure might be recorded as weight. And if anything has weight, then force can manipulate it. Aka....you can be touched. Hard."

I then pull out my mobile computer and begin to type in a query, after the search, I bring up the screen to display via HUD to the man, with the particle physics affirming my knowledge. Afterwards, I close the device and pocket it once more, smirking my own this time.

"So you have a choice: run and try your luck elsewhere, or find out just how capable I am beyond my IQ."

I grip a hand on my hip, and with all the contingencies in place, it would be very unwise for this man to attack, but if he was a primal as he looked, then he probably would, and I would probably have to embarrass him in front of all these fine people. I play coy and careless, but at the sudden thought of Yoake, my eyes had a glint in them that was not there before, all expression left my face. I bore into the man's soul now.

"I dare you."

I stretch my back, in case he wanted to take that chance.


[/fieldbox]