Rifts Dead Man's Hand - Festival Day - Vi

[Chaser1]

Vi heads to the gym and practices. Teddy is also there, sweating and training hard. He notices her, but ignores her. Coach Driver keeps a close eye on both as Vi also trains hard. The coach keeps trying to ensure Vi keeps her weight on the proper feet for more power. Vi catches Ted watching her out of the corner of his eye. Vi hears the coach advising Teddy to think more than just blindly throwing all of his power into his hits. Vi notices that he does hit harder than her and moves blindingly fast for how slow and dumb he tends to act.

Aftwards, Ethan and Esther pick her up and head home. Ethan proudly announces that he got a new movie from Smith Falls; The Gorge. "Only chance to watch it, guys! I have to make sure it works." He exclaims as Esther cooks up her famous elk burgers, stuffed with cheese, buttered garlic green beans, yogurt with blue berries and almonds in it and mashed potatoes, smothered in elk gravy. All of this food is easily washed down with root beer, probably brewed by Frank. The food is amazing. The movie is a creepy thriller with a hint of mystery.

Vi finds it difficult to sleep while she keeps thinking about the upcoming fight, the poker game and a feeling that something isn't right. Maybe it hasn't been right her whole life. She's found it easiest to solve her problems with confrontation or fighting. Both her mom and dad have tried to guide her onto a more peaceful path. She realizes that she's gained a reputation, which isn't much better than Teddy's reputation.

Eventually, Vi wakes up, not realizing that she'd already fallen asleep and now it's morning. She still feels tired, like she only took a short nap. She smells bacon, eggs and hashbrowns cooking. Upon getting ready for the day, she reaches the kitchen, eats and listens to her dad talk about needing help at the store during the festival. Finally, he pulls out a sheet of paper and hands it to Vi, "Here you go, sweetie. These are the events for today, if you want to participate beyond beating Teddy senseless."

"Or beating some sense into him," Esther laughs.

Vi looks down, reading through the event list:

Competitions and Gambling:
Horse Races (1st place: 100 cr, second place: 50 credits, 3rd place: 25 credits) and a trophy
Steeple Chasing: (1st place: 100 cr, second place: 50 credits, 3rd place: 25 credits) and a trophy
Arm Wrestling (1st place: 10 credits and a trophy, 2nd Place: 5 credits and a trophy)
Billiards (Winners recieve 5 credits and a trophy)
Dart Tournament (Winners recieve a bottle of whiskey and a trophy)
Axe Throwing (Winners Recieve a chainsaw and a trophy)
Annual Beer drinking games: Winner gets a keg of beer and a trophy
MMA Fights (undetermined matches) : Prizes yet to be determined and a trophy
Barrel Racing: Winner gets a bottle of wine
High Jump: Winner gets either 1 credit or a bale of hay
Tug o War: Winners receive 2 credits each and the rope
Texas Holdem
Poker (5 card draw)
Roulette
Black Jack (played with 5 decks)
Dance off: Winners (top two) receive two credits and an all expense (travel, food, room, some entertainment) paid trip to Smith Falls for a day and night and a trophy.
Singing Competition: (Winner receives 5 credits and a boombox)
Marksman Competition: (Winner receives a newly made 30-06 with a new distancing scope and a trophy)
Archery Competition: (Winner recieves a newly made compound bow with a quiver of new metal arrows and a trophy)
Relay Races: (Winners each get 1 credit and a trophy)
Three legged races: (Winners each get 1 credit)
Sack Race: Winner gets a 50# sack of potatoes.
Cooking competition: (Hosted by Phil Williams, popular chef from Smith Falls) Winner receives 5 credits and new professional cookware.
Chess Tournament: (Winner gets a new carved granite chess set)
Checkers Tournament: (Winner gets a new carved granite checkers set)
Cornhole Tournament: (Winner gets their own cornhole game and a trophy)
King of the Ring: (Winner gets 100 credits and a trophy)
Obstacle Course: (Win one credit per checkpoint completed within time limit. Win 1000 credits for completing the course)


Events and Attractions:
Fortune Teller: Costs 1 credit
Massage and spa tents
Chiropractic Tent
At least a dozen food vendors
Constant Live Music with Dancing
Balloon Pop (Prizes vary)
Bottle Break
Helter Skelter Slide
Roller Coaster
Tilt-a-whirl
Ferris Wheel
Carousel
Ring Toss
Magic Show
Mirror Maze
Petting zoo
High Striker
Egg Toss (Winner gets 1 credit and a basket of eggs)
Boxing Exhibition Match (Vi "Warwick" Trent vs Teddy "The Terror" Swenson) Prize: 20 credits
Grease Pig Run: Winner gets free food for the rest of the day (wear disposable clothing)
Greased Pole Climb: Prizes are on the pole (wear disposable clothing)
Credit hunt (up to 50 credits: Age limit (no one under 2 or over 10)
Produce Judging and prizes
Theatre Drama Show
Art Show and Judging
Human Piñata
Bingo

The times of each events vary or aren't listed. Vi's fight is late afternoon, early evening. By the time Vi finishes reading through the list, Ethan is already running outside and heading into town. Her mom is washing up and dressing in her finest leather apron for her blacksmithing. She smiles at Vi's interest in the competitions.

"Sweetie? What are you plans for the day? Remember that you have that bout tonight."

[Chaser1]

OOC: Sandie gave me the post via messenger due to work consuming too much time

"Listen to some music and warm up before the fight," she replies as she heads out.

"Don't wear yourself out, sweetie," her mom replies.

Vi walks up the alley, behind her house, exiting near her father's grocery store. With every step, the sound of the festival's throng intensifies. It's so busy that he probably could use her help. Even half of the alleyway is shoulder to shoulder with people. It's like a giant party, carnival, festival and competition venue all mixed together. Vi isn't sure that she's ever seen this many people. The roar of people laughing, shouting their wares, talking, music and games, and even the sounds of people bickering reaches her ears. It's almost overwhelming.

She scans the crowd, trying to locate any of her friends, but the only person she spots is Teddy, smiling confidently as he walks towards her. "Hey Vi," he shouts, "Wanna be my partner in the three legged races? I can't find anyone and I know you're no slouch!" He gets up to her, "Hey come on! The boxing match isn't till tonight and no hard feelings. Whoever wins... just wins!" He gives a hard friendly pat on her shoulder. "Please?"

If Vi didn't know any better, Teddy actually means it. His dad probably ripped into him about being so hot headed. But then, he asks, "Also... would you be my partner... for the dance off?" He cringes, like he knows she'll say, 'no.'

[Chaser1]

Vi looks shocked, then has a moment of clarity, "Are you asking me on a date?"

Teddy clears his throat, looks through the crowd briefly in deep thought. He then looks at the ground, "Well, no. Maybe? I was going to ask Meg, but she's with Dane. And Kendal likes to use her looks to manipulate people. You're at least straightforward with me. I can appreciate that. No drama or double talk to deal with." He raises his gaze to meet Vi's, "I know that you won't put me through a bunch of horseshit." He smirks, "And I might figure out your secret combos for boxing," He winks. "Or you could figure out mine."

Cheering erupts all around as Vi notices that the crowd is surging towards the obstacle course. A small, young woman or it could be a teenage girl is running through the course like it's a walk up the street. Teddy watches as well. She rolls down a bumpy ramp on a log, she swings across a large gap on a rope. She jumps up a near impossibly high wall and climbs it. She runs across a narrow log. She then jumps up and wedges in between two walls and hoppity-scoots along it to the far side. She then jumps for a zip line and misses, slapping into the safety mat below.

"That looks fun," Teddy states, "Wanna try it? I'll buy." He smirks again, "How hard could it be?" as the girl makes another attempt at the course, nearly completing it.

[artistic-witch]

Vi watching the girl on the obstacle course , thinking this looks fun .
Hearing teddy saying he will buy her way in," ok let's do it." Vi wraps her arm around teddy's shoulders half ass pulling him closer." let's see who is better at this game "
She smiles thinking that she might have this done and beaten, but remembering what she seen at the gym with teddy's speed.

[Chaser1]

Vi watches the girl on the obstacle course, oO(This looks fun)Oo "Okay, let's do it." she wraps her arm around Teddy's shoulders, halfway pulling him closer. "Let's see who is better at this game."

Teddy gives his usual over-confident smile as he puts his arm around her waist, "You're on!" Violet smiles, thinking that she might have this done and beaten. Yet, she remembers how fast he was at the gym... just practicing.

The two get in line, which isn't too incredibly long. Vi notices Brad, off towards the backside of Bottoms Up, speaking with the girl who just attempted the obstacle course. She looks like she's interested in him.

Behind the obstacle course, which is enormous with it's 25 total obstacles, is the Native American part of the festival. There are mixed feelings, through out town, about them being so close to town. Lord Stein feels that it's acceptable.

Teddy already has his credits out, eager to attempt the obstacles. One of the mobile food vendors pushes her cart up the line, offering popcorn, bratwursts, cups of chili, veggie bowls, fruit cups, pizza and drinks. "Would you guys like anything?" she inquires.

"Nothing for me, thanks." Teddy notices a guy, roughly around Vi's and his age, walk past with a black eye and bruised cheek. "Woah," Teddy comments, "He was the last match I had. It was quick." He looks back at Vi, "I know you'll put up a much better fight than he did." If Vi didn't know any better, he sounds like he hopes that she beats him.

[Chaser1]

Vi declines the food and drinks, knowing that anything in her stomach can interfere with physical performance. Even a few ounces can make the difference in hanging from a ledge for too long. Teddy and Vi eventually reach the steps to climb up the launch platform. Teddy pays the two credits to enter. He winks to Vi, "Ladies first!" he smiles, trying to be coy.

Vi confidently climbs the steps and stands next to the announcer. After giving her name, he speaks into the microphone, which booms his voice across the crowd, "Next up, we have Violet Trent! A local hero and undefeated boxing champion! She has a match, later today, with another undefeated champion, who is also right after her, Ted Swenson!"

Vi makes sure she has nothing loose that could tangle her up, especially her shoelaces, then braces for a quick start. A quick glance at Teddy shows concern on his face.

The start buzzer blares! She jumps off of the launch pad, jumping over the first quintuple step and landing on the second. She uses her forward momentum to completely leap across to the opposing platform. She doesn't hesitate after analyzing the rails for "Rolling Thunder." She climbs on, like an inexperienced person on a horse, embracing the log and applying the strongest gorilla grip possible. The log rolls as she holds tight when the first surprise drop occurs, her grip slips with her left hand, but manages to recover by the time the second surprise drop occurs. She loses grip with her right hand this time. The log stops rolling by the time she recovers.

She hoists herself up onto the next platform, overlooking a twenty foot wide chasm, where the opposing platform is a few feet higher. She goes to grab the rope and realizes that she's dizzy from the last obstacle. She slightly stumbles as the clock counts down, trying to overcome vertigo. She takes a deep breath at four minutes remaining, grabs the rope, jumps backwards for momentum and swings. She realizes that she didn't swing hard enough and reaches her foot out, grabbing the platform with the tip of her shoe. She strains as she pulls herself closer and leaps to grab the ledge. Instead, she bashes her face against the corner of the platform. Even with the padding, it hurts! (ooc: -1 SDC) She feels tired, her labored breathing is concerning her. Clock shows 3:31.

Upon catching her breath, ahead of her is a bowl shaped dip ahead of her, leading up the warped wall. A wall which swoops up for about fifteen feet and curves backwards, forcing contestants to leap up and slightly backwards to even grab the ledge. She launches down, getting a very good running start. She runs up the wall, making it almost halfway up and then she jumps. She feels a horrible crunch in her ankle as she leaps (OOC: PS check critically failed with a N20). A cold sensation washes over her foot and up her leg. Her heart begins racing as she knows that she just twisted her ankle. Her fingers find the ledge and grasp on, she then pulls herself over and sits on the ledge, examining her ankle.

Vi notices that her ankle is already swelling and even touching it is almost excruciating (- 5 SDC). The announcer shows concern as the clock counts down below three minutes. Teddy and several of the obstacle workers rush up and carry her down. (OOC: ME endurance check, to ignore the pain, critically failed with a N20)

Teddy waves to the announcer that he no longer wants to attempt the course as the workers attempt their best first aid. He stands up, looks back to where Brad is talking to the young girl, calling out, "Brad! Get your ass over here! Bring your kit!" He squats back down next to Vi, as they needlessly ask how bad it hurts, poking at the swollen area, forcing her to yelp involuntarily. He brushes her face with the back of his fingers, "Damn... That's going to bruise you're cute face."

"Sorry folks, that was unexpected. Let's hope that Miss Trent is okay and that it's nothing too serious. We'd love to see her try again later!" Even the announcer seems concerned, then turns back to the crowd, "But what a great run from her. Give it up for Vi!" The crowd erupts into a combination of concerned banter and cheering.

OOC: So in all of this game, with these dice, I've rolled a N20 maybe once, out of dozens of rolls. Then I roll two in one post... wow. I think these dice hate you guys.

[artistic-witch]

As vi's ankle starts throbbing and swelling up, the only thing she is now thinking about is the fight. She looks back towards teddy and yells, " your turn asshole !!! you better not back out! "

Vi tries to stand up and waves at the crowd around her, as if to assure everyone she will be ok .

Vi then notices her face is starting to hurt from the hit earlier ..

[Chaser1]

As Vi's ankle starts throbbing and swelling up, the only thing she is thinking about is the fight. She looks back towards Teddy and yells, "Your turn asshole! You better not back out!"

Teddy isn't one to take a challenge lightly, even if he is being nice. He nods and utters, "You're on. Warped wall! Here I come!"

Vi tries to stand up and waves at the crowd around her, as if to assure everyone that she'll be okay. She successfully gets to her feet. The crowd cheers as some workers help her get to a bench to put her foot up. Someone calls for Dr. Lewis.

Vi then notices her face is starting to hurt. She watches Teddy climb the platform stairs and step up to the announcer. The announcer erupts with excitement, "It looks like Vi is going to be alright! We now have her nemesis... and maybe boyfriend?" Teddy flashes him a look, "In any case, everyone give it up for Teddy!" The enormous crowd, who've come to see Vi, erupts into cheers, "Ted-dy! Ted-dy! Ted-dy!"

Teddy looks down towards Vi and respectfully nods. The buzzer sounds and she finally sees his true reflexes kick in. His reaction time is almost perfect as he breaks into a run for the quintuple steps and breezes over them as fast as Vi did. He leaps onto 'Rolling Thunder' and rolls down without even budging; even through the surprise drops. He doesn't waste time and just uses his forward running momentum and swings out on the rope and lands to Vi's nemesis, the warped wall. He takes a moment to analyze it, then breaks into a run, down the bowl shaped ramp and then, up the wall. He leaps, reaches back and grasps the ledge and pulls himself up.

Teddy takes a moment, looks at the clock, which reads 4:12. He carefully crosses the spinning log, almost falling off on every third step. He looks up at the clock; 3:45. He then glances down to Vi, showing that it's getting harder. He sees the drop to the trampoline, which should launch him into the spider jump and climb. He hops, drops straight into the middle and launches forward but mostly up. He wedges into the two plastic walls and begins hopping forward. He ducks under one obstacle along the wall, then hops over the second.

At the end of the wall, there is no platform to stand on, instead, Teddy realizes that he has to leap out and catch a zipline. His lips become thin with determination as he leaps out as hard as he can and miraculously catches the handles on the zipline. He slides down twenty feet of wire and realizes that he needs to swing out and catch the cargo net. He succeeds! The crowd roars with excitement.

The last obstacle has foiled all but a few contenders who've reached it. Teddy decides to climb under the cargo net. He reaches the platform and pulls himself up, breathing heavily. He managed not to mess up and looks up at the clock; 1:55. He presses the buzzer. Teddy has just defeated the first stage of the festival course.

"Sweet Lord!" The announcer screams, "Our fourth competitor to complete the first stage has been crowned! Who else will join him! Everyone come watch at noon, when Teddy will attempt stage two!"

Teddy ignores the guy and heads back down into the crowd, seemingly looking for Vi.

[Chaser1]

OOC: Read Megana's thread to find out how she exactly did.

Megana attempts the course and fails at the rope swing on her first try. She fails on quintuple steps on her second attempt. Sam then tries and fails on the spider climb both times.

[artistic-witch]

Vi carefully walks through the crowd looking for teddy, " that damn smartass , just wait till i get my hands on you . "

Vi laughs at her own words but at the same time trying not to let the pain get to her . as she slowly walks through the crowd , looking left and right in hopes to spot him.