The Kingdom of Daventry; Tuesday [05/07] - Day TWO of the Tournament of Knights!

[pun_king]

Good morning! It's another beautiful day in Daventry, a day where the brilliant color of the sunrise across the sky is as rich and colorful as the trees that spread across the valley. Hopefully, no one else had their beds mysteriously stolen in the middle of the night! It's a big day for our small cadre of Hopeful Knights--the bold and braggadocios ~Whisper~, the small and scheming Manny, big and brash Acorn, mysterious and menacing Achaka, and, of course, Graham, who was honestly just happy to be there--as they seek out their true test of worth to be considered for the Daventry Guard: the eye of a hideous beast! Will they be able to obtain such a prize by the deadline? Only time will tell, and they'll likely be hard at work accomplishing their goal!

As for everyone else? Well, you've got a day of either helping, hindering, or just enjoying Daventry at this time of year! Be cautious, though! With the bridges out, there's plenty of wetzel wolves in a frenzy around the woods, unable to migrate to Serenia as they would like to, and, with the bridges out, travel around the realm is a bit restricted, too. It doesn't help that even the Fantastical Floating Island, one of Daventry's top billed tourist attractions, is closed for the day in preparation for one of the events tomorrow! But there's still good friends, beautiful vistas, and fun to be had in the Kingdom of Daventry.

Adventure is, after all, where you find it!

[[ and, of course, for all those in Daventry with him, NFB for distance, and with the usual OCD! ]]

Comments

The Daventry Inn - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

The guests at the Daventry Inn will find themselves with a complimentary breakfast (all baked goods compliments of Wente Fey!), with some light and moddable fare, coffee and tea, to start another exciting day of the thrilling tournament! Although, admittedly, this one is a little bit lacking in the spectating unless you were to choose to follow around your favorite knight hopeful, though that seems just a touch counterintuitive to them completing their task! Either way, enjoy your morning at the inn, or escape from it as quickly as possible to explore the kingdom more.

Re: The Daventry Inn - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

Graham, he of the never-ending appetite and the eternally hollow legs, was picking at his breakfast with an almost uncharacteristic persnickitiness. He would try to put on a happier face for any of his friends if they were around, of course, but there was a lot on his mind that morning. Everything had mostly turned out okay despite all the hitches in yesterday, but he was worried. Triumph still hadn't made his way back, and today was a big day. He had to find the eye of a hideous beast before the deadline, and he almost didn't know where to start, so he'd really have to spend his morning hitting the pavement, so to speak, in figuring something out...hopefully before his competitors got to the same conclusion before he did!

It was enough to start sowing the seeds of doubt in him that maybe he wasn't cut out to be a knight, but he wasn't going to water those seeds to let them start growing into something to stop him! And his alliance made with Manny yesterday, he hoped, would prove helpful today. Only time will tell, he supposed!

Re: The Daventry Inn - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[noonedecidesmyfate]

Belle plunked herself down next to Graham at the table.

"How is my favorite knight-to-be this morning? Prepared for your day of questing?"

He didn't look all that prepared but maybe it was just early and he hadn't had enough pie in his diet?

Re: The Daventry Inn - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

When Belle joined him, Graham tried his best to be cheerful and lighthearted about everything, giving a faint chuckle and a cheeky grin at her before asking, "Still your favorite even after meeting some of the others?"

Look, after they'd finally managed to get into the Theater and Graham had to get to know the other knights for his make-up chivalry test, which was totally written out and posted, really!, he'd realized that this competition was going to be quite a bit stiffer than he'd realized. He was trying not to worry, and reminding himself that he had one thing the others didn't, and that was the power of friendship, but when faced with what a daunting task the tournament was turning out to be, that was only getting him so far that morning.

Re: The Daventry Inn - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

After kicking the squirrels out to get a little more shut-eye and then spending some time fussing with her hair and getting selfies of herself in her second new dress, Arden ended up coming downstairs for breakfast a little later than usual. Still, not so late that she missed her friends - or that at least one of them seemed a little less enthusiastic today than, well, ever.

"Hey," she said softly, slipping into the seat next to him, a cup of tea in one hand and a tasty quiche in the other, "sleep okay, Graham?"

Re: The Daventry Inn - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

"Hey," Graham said, doing his best to greet Arden with his usual smile, hoping his nerves didn't leak into it too much. "Pretty okay, I guess. It's hard to really sleep with so much to look forward to for the day, you know?"

He hoped she knew, he wasn't sure he could really explain it, but he poked at his eggs with a fork before looking up again and tilting his head.

"And you? Did you sleep well? I'm sorry we haven't had much time to spend together, but I knew I'd be pretty busy. Are you enjoying Daventry so far?"

Re: The Daventry Inn - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[wildgalegirl]

Charlie sat across from him - both seats to his side already taken. She smiled and leaned in, sketching a charm for confidence on him - nothing that would interfere, just enough to remind him of who he was and all the people who were here for him. "Morning!"

Re: The Daventry Inn - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

Zounds...if he managed to pull this off (he was far less confident in when that morning), Graham was really going to miss all those subtle leans and sketched charms, but he smiled at Charlie through that sad thought.

"Morning, Charlie," he said, "did you sleep well?"

The Blacksmith Shop - ToK, Day 3 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

At this point, Amaya's just mostly keeping herself available for anyone who needs any last minute weapon repairs before facing down their beast, or to see which bridges need quick fixes. Thankfully, it seems that the bridge to the Tournament Theater stayed up, so she might go reinforce it a little more later today, but for now? She was here and (mostly) ready to work.

She did, after all, have a terribly distracting guest right now.

And an absurd alternate future to contend with.

The Bakery - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

Daventry's jolly baker has provided some goods for your breakfast already, but if you'd like something a little more for yourself, or just to come in and chat, he'd be more than happy to have the company!

Re: The Bakery - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[begmetwice]

Irene, anticipating that she might actually feel the need to jump in and get her hands a little dirty today (while also relentlessly making sure no one forgot about any particularly loud knights), had dressed a little more casually. (And a little less fairly, if you wanted to think about it that way, but she was just dressing here.)

And while she'd obviously been sticking close to Amaya (because she loved her but also because, you know, couldn't tease her about Whisper if Irene got too far off!), there was another shop she'd been a little curious about, actually.

One did not get to see and sample a cupcake the size of a regulation basketball each year without developing a bit of a curiosity, you know?

"Hello!" she called cheerfully, letting herself into the bakery and taking a moment just to kind of bask. "Oh, it smells wonderful in here."

Re: The Bakery - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[likeawarmhug]

"Hello!" Wente greeted the woman back, cheerfully as well, and with a big smile on his face. "Good morning! And welcome! You're in luck, you know, because today, we just so happen to be offering those smells for free!"

He chuckled heartily at his own joke, a hand resting comfortably on his stomach. "Is there anything I can help you with, dear? I'm afraid I haven't much else but smells to offer. Between my supplier being unable to come in because of the bridges and feeding you lot at the Inn, I'm a bit low on my usual offerings, but there's nothing that a little love and perseverance can't whip up in good time! I'm sure we can make it work!"

The Magic Shop - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

Just because not a lot of people popped into visit them yesterday doesn't mean the Hobblepots haven't already formed a good deal of opinions about everyone filtering into their town this week, and they will not be hesitant to share those opinions with you!

Although they might be more willing to keep them to themselves if you were interested in buying any of their fine wares!

Re: The Magic Shop - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[drumsticksandd20s]

Like Steph could pass up an opportunity to check out a magic shop in a city that wasn't Fandom? And maybe take notes for the next time she had to whip one up for a LARP? She wasn't actually looking to buy anything, but the keen interest in her expression might be interpreted otherwise.

Go on, Hobblepots, opine all you wanted and see if it made any difference to her!

Re: The Magic Shop - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[old_and_judgemental]

"Oh, are you the new delivery courier?" asked the bald old man stooped behind the counter as Steph walked in, squinting and trying to get a good look at her. "Have you brought my frogs' legs?"

"Chester," the equally old woman with significantly more hair gushed at him, "hush. Does this young lady look like she'd carrying frogs' legs? She's clearly one of the visitors come to see the tournament!"

But she was also now eying Steph a bit skeptically, but she was pleasant as she offered, "Take a look around, dear, and let us know if you need anything. I'd avoid touching anything if you can; we can't be held liable for anything that may occur before or after purchase."

"Or even during!" Chester added, perhaps a bit too cheerfully.

Other Areas of Daventry - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

With a lighter day as far as festivities go, it might be a good time to go exploring the areas around the town! Just be careful! Not only are there a good deal of wetzel wolves that will chase you down if given half the chance, there's rumors of goblins in the area. Not to mention the snarling snarlax in the deep dark woods and maybe even a dragon somewhere? The bridge trolls have been keeping to themselves, but you might encounter one of those, as well. Who knows what might await you, though?

Re: Other Areas of Daventry - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

"I'm done," Graham said, stomping back through the woods toward the town, wrestling with the emotions plaguing him as the weight and guilt of Achaka's death pressed heavier and heavier on his shoulders with each step. "I am done! This is not for me!"

But as he neared Daventry proper again, a small voice came out from somewhere in front of him.

"Going somewhere?" asked Manny, standing before him on the road.

"Yes," Graham said, firmly, immediately, determined. He'd had a lot of thinking, between here and the cave, and he was resolute in the conclusion he'd reached. "I'm going home. Where I belong. I was promised wonder and adventure and fantastical floating islands, and what I got was a Daventry that will never live up to what it once was!"

The Daventry of the brochures and the storybooks. The Daventry of that his father had protected. The Daventry he realized was never going t be for him.

"Daventry needs you, Graham," said Manny, softly, gently. "I know it's not what you expected, but give it time. We can work through the kinks together. It can be great once again, with the right people in charge."

But Graham just shook his head, hanging it with his shoulders. "I'm not that person," he said, and his voice hitched; he thought the flood of tears would be over by now, but they were swelling up inside of him again. "And you should stop believing in me..." A sharp pain twanged in his chest. "...It could get you killed."

"Fine," said Manny, and his next word was a little harsher. "Leave. Go be a dentist, for all I care. I guess Achaka was wrong..."

And that pulled Graham out of his despair and his self-pity enough to blink down at Manny. "Wha?" he stammered out. "What?"

"Eh," Manny shook his head, waved his hands dismissively. "It was nothing...." He kept moving past him, with another, slightly diferent wave of his hand. "It was nice meeting you, Graham...."

"Spill it!" said Graham, suddenly forceful, willing to reach out and stop Manny if he had to, but, thankfully, Manny did stop.

"Well," he said, lifting his little armored chin defiantly, "Achaka and I were chatting during your Chivalry Test yesterday, and he had some...thoughts...about you. Didn't you find it odd that Achaka entered the Knight's Tournament, Graham? Did he ever tell you why?"

"What?" Graham blinked at Manny, frowning, shaking his head. "He might have!" And then, his frustration made way for more disappointment as he sighed. "But I only learned two words of his language...."

"A horrendous famine," Manny explained, "struck Achaka's village, Itch-two-wey. He left his suffering family to enter this tournament! He hoped to seek an audience with the king to plead for help! It was a long shot, even for him."

"Great," Graham all but sobbed out desperately, "so....because of me, a whole village will starve! That makes me feel better!"

"No," said Manny. "Because of you, a village will be saved. Achaka was....impressed by you. He told me he was watching you on your travels to Daventry, and that you seemed like the type of person that could inspire change. More so than those bucketheads, anyways. Just look at how many people came with you to cheer you on and support you, too! You practically have your own army of well-wishers alone already!"

As the feelings in his chest took a hard twist yet again, Graham struggled to know what to say. "I...I, uh...."

"If you're not going to compete for yourself," Manny proposed with a heart-felt appeal in his voice, "or for me, do it for the Itch-two-wens! They need you! And do it for your friends, who came all this way, because they believed in you, too."

With that, Manny took a moment to hand something over to Graham: his adventurer's cap, which he'd left behind him at the cave's exit, determined to let it be buried in the dust and overgrowth of the Daventry forest.

"You're their last hope," Manny said.

Graham took the hat from Manny and Manny, slipping by with a reassuring pat on Graham's thigh, sauntered off to leave him there, hat in hand, and a grave decision ahead of him, and the weight of what being a knight really meant.

He took in a shaky breath, lifted his hands, and settled his cap back onto his head with a nod.

"For Achaka," he said, nodding firmly, and then taking a moment, lifting one palm, and then lifting his other hand to give his fingers a little waving dance before making a fist and pounding it into his palm with another nod, exactly in the way Achaka had done, and continued on his way, not to the town, but directly to the Theater.

He had an Eye of a Hideous Beast to present.

Re: Other Areas of Daventry - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden had been too busy with the Parade of Hopefuls and trying to figure out a way to help Graham to go searching for the ingredients that Mr. Fey had asked for, but with all the Hopefuls off scrounging the area for beast eyes, now seemed as good a time as ever - especially since today's dress seemed a lot sturdier than either of the others, with their thin, floaty fabrics.

Still, she had heard the dire warnings about wolves, goblins, dragons (and possibly a Pokemon?), but she figured that someone needed to risk it in order to make sure people were able to be fed. And so, armed with a basket; a nice, sturdy pole she'd snagged from the tavern, her friend the bird who had forgiven her for yesterday's verbal trespasses, and a can-do attitude, Arden headed off into the forest for starberries, sugarshrooms, and chunks of bitter root to bring back.

Re: Other Areas of Daventry - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

For the most part, the forest of Daventry, at that moment, was fairly quiet and peaceful.

Which probably made the slightly distressed sound of squeaking and squealing from....somewhere all that more noticeable.

Especially if Arden found that the squeaking and squealing sounded a bit...familiar, the distinct trumpeting of a certain trusty steed.

The Tournament Theater - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]

You wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to see what the Knight Hopeful were able to procure as an Eye of a Hideous Beast, would you? As the deadline approaches, the Theater is the spot to be, where the audience can gather and wait for the big reveals, speculate on who will make it to the next round, and maybe even chat up the guards a little in the meantime.

Re: The Tournament Theater - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[wildgalegirl]

Charlie was here, ready to cheer for Graham because she was sure he'd make it on to the next round. She just KNEW it!

Re: The Tournament Theater - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[daventry_guard]

Where not too long ago five Knight Hopefuls once stood, there now were only four, gathered before the stage by the deadline, as one of the members of the Daventry Guard stood before them and cleared his throat.

"For those brave souls that are still with us," he announced, "welcome back. Now....you may have heard some squawking from a few naysayers in our kingdom concerned with the ethics of the tournament. Ha! Proclamations and addendums aside, this is the way we have always done it in Daventry, and this is the way will will continue to do it! Now...Knight Hopefuls! If you would be so kind as to present your eyes!"

First to present was Acorn, who pulled from behind his back, by its back leg, a squirming grey wetzel wolf. "Hold still!" he complained at the beast, while the beast let out a protesting snarl and tried to bite at Acorn's leg, to little avail, what with the armor and all.

Manny was next, producing from...somewhere...a large jar of eyes, looking like something purchased for the shelves of the Hobblepot's shop....which it actually very much had been.

And then Whisper, who very boldly lifted up not one but two eyes, big as beach balls and bright purple, clearly previously having belonged to the legendary snarling snarlax of the deep dark woods.

Finally, it was Graham's turn. Quiet and uncharacteristically taciturn Graham, who just reached sullenly into one of his pockets and somberly held out the yellowish-red eye of the dragon from beneath the well. He took a moment, looking down at it with a stern, determined frown, fighting against the urge for more tears, and instead, he channeled some of that into a baleful look of ire, lifted and sent toward the Guard on the stage. He then glanced over to his fellow Knight Hopefuls, feeling Achaka's absense like a dagger to his gut; he looked to Manny, who gave him an encouraging gesture forward. Graham looked back to the stage and, unblinking, wordlessly, just held the large eye in his hand aloft.

"I'd look happier," one of the Guards said, leaning closer to a fellow guard and lifting a hand, though he clearly made no attempt to keep his voice to a whisper, "if that were my eye."

"I'd look less happy if that was my face," the other Guard deadpanned back.

"Look who's talking," the first guard volleyed back.

"Yes," the second one drawled, "look who is talking..."

But the person talking was the announcer Guard again. "Congratulations, everybody," he said, "we officially accept all the eyes presented. We'll see you tomorrow, in the Duels."

And, with that, the second day of the Glorious Tournament of Knights had concluded. Yay and huzzah.

Re: The Tournament Theater - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Weren't there five knights before?" Arden murmured, holding onto Triumph. And looking at Graham. Graham didn't look good at all. She waited until the crowd had dispersed a little before trying to make her way over to him. "Graham? I've got somebody here who wants to talk to you."

The Evening Threads - ToK, Day 2- 05/07.

[pun_king]

As the day winds down and evening settles over Daventry, the excitement is still high, as the biggest and most important day of the Tournament, the Trials of Speed, Strength, and Wit, looms large on the horizon! Make of your evening what you will; tomorrow is the big day!

OOC - ToK, Day 2 - 05/07.

[pun_king]