PERIDOT

[dramatispersonae]

[You are standing in an amphitheatre constructed of off-white marble with several rows of seats surrounding you on all sides; in the performance space at the bottom is another banquet table, with fourteen different crowns placed upon it. They are, in no particular order:

A jeweled tiara lined with diamonds
A crown of wheat
A faded kokoshnik
A coronet with its jewels missing
A gold diadem
A civic crown made out of oak leaves
A mural crown
A naval crown missing a sail
A hoop crown missing the top insignia
A crown of thorns
A striped nemes
A crown of dandelions
A plain modius
A coronation crown with beading on the side falling off]

Comments

PART ONE

[dramatispersonae]

[Mr. Right's voice echoes quietly off the amphitheatre walls, sounding closer than normal.]

Ladies and jellybeans, it's my pleasure to inform you that you've all been chosen as potential heirs to the throne of your own little kingdom. Isn't that something? Ah, but there's only room for one at the top, so you'll have to make sure you impress me enough to earn that title. We'll find out later on how much potential is really in you. Now I know most of you don't got experience with this sort of thing, so I'll guide you through the process. Think hard about what kinda ruler you'd like to be. King, queen, prince, princess, duke, duchess, marquis, marquise--pick whichever title suits you. I'm fond of "emperor" myself. Regardless, every monarch's gotta have a mark of their autonomy, so your first task is to pick a crown--any crown. Make sure it's one you can hold onto, though--once it's on your head, it won't be easy to keep it. And if you do, make sure you're prepared to carry its weight.

((Each team member present picks a crown from the pile to wear; one team member per crown, please. ONCE YOUR CHARACTER HAS DECIDED ON A CROWN, IT WILL NOT COME OFF. If you arrive past part one, make sure whatever crown you choose is not one that's already been chosen by your teammates.))

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION

[silentknight]

Uh...

They're... kind of a lot.

Re: DISCUSSION

[headcannon]

Hello again, miss Cassie.

Re: DISCUSSION

[boxupallthebutterflies]

...Oh, this is a little nostalgic...

Re: DISCUSSION

[silentknight]

What?

Re: DISCUSSION

[headcannon]

I shall try and stretch my imagination for this scenario, certainly.

Re: DISCUSSION

[machiavellianiue]

. . . . . . . . . . . . ha, ha.

DECISION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DECISION

[silentknight]

Gold… diadem?

Re: DECISION

[boxupallthebutterflies]

I'll claim the tiara.

Re: DECISION

[headcannon]

The mural crown.

Re: DECISION

[machiavellianiue]

Hoop crown.

PART TWO

[dramatispersonae]

[Mr. Right's voice comes echoing through again, sounding amused]

Ain't you all looking fancy. But good looks and a winning smile aren't enough--trust me, I know. Question is, do you think you deserve that kind of title? Regal-looking or not, you've got to walk the walk and talk the talk. And a ruler's just a nobody if they can't reach deep into the hearts of their subjects. What makes you so special? You got to think about what being a leader really means to you, and how you'd handle it in particular. The first thing every ruler needs to address is what kinda rules they're laying down. So here's your second task: figure out how you'd pluck the heartstrings of your vassals--in this case, your teammates--and play me a sweet tune.

Sounds pretty open-ended, right? Well, like everything in life, there's a catch: those crowns aren't just shiny little decorations. They've been worn before, and inherited certain... traits from all those past generations. And there's one piece of advice all those old dead guys can agree on: if you want to avoid being usurped, you'd better live up to your predecessors.

[If you chose the jeweled tiara, your trait is: HATEFUL.
If you chose the crown of wheat, your trait is: SORROWFUL.
If you chose the kokoshnik, your trait is: LYING.
If you chose the coronet, your trait is: CHARISMATIC.
If you chose the diadem, your trait is: PESSIMISTIC.
If you chose the civic crown, your trait is: OPTIMISTIC.
If you chose the mural crown, your trait is: BRAVE.
If you chose the naval crown, your trait is: MOURNFUL.
If you chose the hoop crown, your trait is: FLIRTATIOUS.
If you chose the crown of thorns, your trait is: RECKLESS.
If you chose the nemes, your trait is: ANXIOUS.
If you chose the crown of dandelions, your trait is: WHIMSICAL.
If you chose the modius, your trait is: SERIOUS.
If you chose the coronation crown, your trait is: IGNORANT.

((The second task is a speech! Your character must perform as a monarch giving orders with the trait listed to their chosen crown. Their purpose is to address rules and regulations with your teammates as your subjects, but feel free to interpret this however you like! You can go full-on monologue or soliloquy, or do a simple list, or whatever. Be ~creative~! If you arrive late, please specify which crown you're wearing in your comment.))

DISCUSSION

[dramatispersonae]

Re: DISCUSSION

[silentknight]

What?

Re: DISCUSSION

[boxupallthebutterflies]

[...cracking up]

Hoh, very well.

Re: DISCUSSION

[machiavellianiue]

. . . hah.

Re: DISCUSSION

[headcannon]

And thank the heavens we've not him as our ruler, if that is how he views it.

[so. unimpressed]

SPEECHES

[dramatispersonae]

1/5

[boxupallthebutterflies]

Very well, then. Allow me to address the public.

As I'm sure you're all aware, this is no democracy. The fact that you are all a part of my realm means that you are all subject to my will absolutely. So please don't take anything I say as a request, or even as a law that can be broken and then forgiven with jail or service to your community. You are all my beloved slaves and playthings, and if I am disobeyed you shall be subject to the Endless Hell that I can create...!

Re: SPEECHES

[silentknight]

I don't know what to say here and… you probably won't listen anyway. But, um. If people hurt other people for fun, or trick them in a mean way, they'll go to jail. So don't do that. Please? I don't know if that will work… um… Oh and no stealing, either. And if you need something um… I'll try to help. But I might not be very good at it. Actually, someone else should do this probably. I don't think I'm very good at it. I think I will probably make a bad country since I don't even know what rules to start with. I'm bad at making decisions too. Um… So you should probably go somewhere else.

I think that's all. Sorry.

Re: SPEECHES

[headcannon]

[--sighs, just a little, then stands straighter, surveying Peridot-- he makes it a point to get eye contact with each of them before moving on, acknowledging them with a small nod of his head]

...I will not waste your time. The all of you are just as aware of our circumstances as I am-- perhaps moreso, as my position affords me some distance; though I regret I cannot share that with you, I promise that it has not rendered me dear nor blind to those hardships you face. And it would appear we have only further hardship upon the horizon-- the world changes day by day, and with it comes a future of uncertainty. What awaits us, with each new dawn-- will we lack for food or for shelter? Will new horrors come at us, to prey upon us, unsuspecting in the dark? Will we lose those we care for, in the confusion and turmoil? These are dark days we live in; I would not lie to you and have you believe otherwise.

But I come before you at this hour of uncertainty to tell you to once more take heart: this is not the first trial you have suffered, nor will it be the last. And though it may seem overwhelming, time and again you have proved your will to be stronger than anything that might dare stand against you. If you only but believe in yourselves as I believe in you-- as I know you have believed before -- then truly I know from the bottom of my heart that you shall not -- cannot fail. The dark will part before your feet as you stride forward, driven back by your force of will alone. Where you stand, the all of us stand with you. Where you go, the hope of the world follows.

To that end, I would ask that you do not forget one another; look to each other, and take strength from those bonds you have forged through the fire of adversity. They shall not fail you. I know this to be true. There is no other possible outcome. Take heart, and press ever onwards.

Re: SPEECHES

[machiavellianiue]

[ffff well I can't let Beato show me up]

. . .

Well. I'm afraid this isn't how I'd generally approach a manner of such grave regard, but given that the lovely Beatrice has set such a high bar, I will of course do my best.

Above all, let me state first and foremost, that it is my utmost desire to work with everyone, not rule over you in such a way that makes you feel as though we are on a different level. We should be as close as possible in our understanding. The decisions I make and the suggestions I give are in your best interests. Should you have any problems with either my declarations or my leadership, I would be more than happy to discuss them with you privately and intimately, so that we might come to a full and deep understanding of the ways in which we can best be of service to each other.

[. . . working s-so hard to keep a straight face, but can't stop himself from blushing a little. SHHH LELOUCH PRETEND YOU'RE TALKING TO OZ OR GIL ///]

A ruler and those he rules are inexorably bound in the most important relationship. Therefore, we must all respect and trust each other with the immense importance of the tasks we must each bear. Each and everyone of you is uniquely important, and the gifts you have provide us all with something nobody else can give. Respect those around you and respect yourself. We are each others' most important and most valued assets, and as such, the protection of these assets is of highest regard. Any slight or misfortune that falls upon you, I will pursue just retribution—and I would expect the same of you. Come to my aid when need be, as I would come to yours at the slightest murmur of need.

[hfffffff]

In this, we can surely work together to be most happy and prosperous.

PART THREE...?

[dramatispersonae]

[Mr. Right's voice can be heard, low and reverberating as though coming from inside your own chest--but he only laughs... and then, abruptly, the crowns you are all wearing trigger an effect.

If you are wearing the tiara or the crown of wheat, you are suddenly overcome with the urge to cry.
If you are wearing the kokoshnik or the coronet, you lose your voice completely.
If you are wearing the diadem or the civic crown, you are suddenly overcome with lust.
If you are wearing the mural crown or the naval crown, you suddenly feel incredibly clingy or in need of physical affection.
If you are wearing the hoop crown or the crown of thorns, you suddenly recall your worst memory and are unable to put it out of your mind.
If you are wearing the nemes or the crown of dandelions, you are suddenly overcome with violent urges.
If you are wearing the modius or the coronation crown, you are suddenly overcome with the urge to scream.

Mr. Right speaks, sounding darkly amused.]

I told you, didn't I? A crown's a weighty thing. Too bad--guess I'll have to keep looking for someone better.

[With a sudden jerk, you are brought back to the Ring.]