#EVENT THREAD (PURGATORIO E PARADISO)

[albwreckt]

The mountain of coins rumbles, shakes, and quakes–until finally the giant trapped within frees himself. He takes a deep breath, spending a sliver of his time reacquainting himself with his surroundings. The casino is still going on strong. Machines are screaming, money is flying this way and that. There’s a killing to be made. 

Pulling himself up by the polearm, he smirks at the Hatter. Ain’t dead yet, says his shining teeth and copper eyes. The blonde, in turn, has a response ready for him. A projectile bounces his way.

Maddest Hatter 25/25 HP  attacks with Winner Takes All! Misses Balthus [Roll: 4+6=10, miss!] Balthus 8/10HP Misses Balthus [Roll: 2+6=8, miss!] Balthus 8/10HP

It whizzes by him, writing shock into his expression. Then a second time it nearly clips his hairdo, stupefying his smirk. He counts it as a miracle that neither arc took his nose off, and stomps back into the fray. 

“Gonna level with everyone here. I’m starting to think hell is preferable to… Whatever this is.” 

Balthus 8/10HP hits Maddest Hatter 25/25HP with Harmony Lance [Roll: 17 - 2 = 15, -3.5HP, Maddest Hatter 21.5/25HP] Harmony Lance: Balthus 8/10HP heals for 3.5 HP [Balthus 10/10HP]

Onward he forges, raising his guando high above his head to come crashing down against that of the Hatter. It’s a straight shot, and it hits–digging into his brim and taking a scrape off his mask. Which is all well and good, because Balthus is ready to go knocking his jaw off.

That kind of vigor resonates deeply with his weapon. From the wound he made on his foe, his own are healed. A pleasant feeling straightens his back and puffs out his chest, sealing his nicks and scratches from earlier. 

Maddest Hatter 21.5/25HP counterattacks, crits and hits Balthus 10/10HP with Raise the Stakes [Roll: 15 + 2 = 17, -1HP, 11 + 2 = 13, -0HP Balthus 9/10HP] Seal Speed: Maddest Hatter 21.5/25HP loses all speed buffs until R4P Adaptability: Balthus 9/10HP gains +1 defense until R4P Adaptability: Balthus 9/10HP gains +1 defense until R4P

It couldn’t have come a moment sooner, as the Amber One is quick on the follow-up. Twin coins dig into each of Balthus' shoulders. One lodges itself a little deeper than the other–drawing a bit of blood from the skin underneath–but it’s nothing he can’t stifle. His armor morphs again, and by now it’s a feeling he’s grown accustomed to. 

“Hey, pals! Now’s not a bad time for a head check. Everyone still got theirs?” 

TIME TO FOLD: @lindwyvrm !

　𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐎 𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐎.

　　　　　 　　 　 　　 　❪　team five　/　silver round　❫

[albwreckt]

Balthus doesn’t bat an eye at the monster that is Nel. Ferocious though her breath may be, beasts are a dime a dozen–and he’s confident that a fist to that jaw could shut it and its lasers up.

No, what’s more interesting to him is Ivy. More precisely, that father of hers.

“You oughta set us up for a match sometime!” he chimes, running in close for conversation but having his path cut off by laughter and dice, “I’ve yet to meet one capable of making a dent in this debonair, but you guys might get close.” With that, he hunkers down to give his die a good thwacking. The blunt edge of the blade will do. It’ll send the thing flying for sky-high value.

Balthus 10/10HP misses Dordice with Harmony Lance [Roll: 1 - 2 = -1]

But mid-stroke, he wavers. A sultry frown works its way over his features. The dice are so… Cute! And he’s a gambling man–a gambling king, even–he can’t hurt one of the things! So his arm goes left, and so too does his weapon, and Balthus’ result is a big, fat, zero. A sigh bellows from him as he braces for impact, knowing the prettyboy won’t take kindly to fence-sitting. 

Maddest Hatter 25/25HP uses Tea Time's Over ! Hits Balthus 10/10HP [Roll: 6 + 2 = 8, 3 - 1 = -2, Balthus 8/10HP] [Roll: 2, Cornucopia fails.] Balthus is inflicted with Card Suite: Broken Heart. Teahouse Distribution: Roll: 1, Seal Speed fails Adaptability: Balthus 10/10HP gains +1 resistance until R3P

He, too, is barraged by gold and swallowed by splendor. It’s a darned lot of splendor too, covering a man his size. “What’s the matter?” chides the hatter as the dust begins to settle, “Got cold feet? Don’t you want to partake in this everlasting serendipity??” 

If he wasn’t busy spitting coins from his mouth, the Albrecht would fire back. Instead, he takes note of a strange kink in his armor. As it takes hits, the metal changes to suit the shape of its attacker. Neat, but not useful enough to dig Balthus out of this pit he’s in.

THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET DICEY: @corvuschriisti @sayhwaet !

　𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐎 𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐎.

　　　　　 　　 　 　　 　❪　team five　/　silver round　❫

[albwreckt]

Balthus wakes with a groan. His head feels like a church bell rang one too many times, the echoes of last battle reverberating in that mostly-empty skull of his. But he’s alive–he’s gotten up–and that’s got to count for something. Hooking himself by the chin, he pops his neck. 

“What gives with this guy? Thinks he’s some kinda hotshot or something. But he looks loaded…” And he, on the contrary, does not. Everything from the last room is long gone, replaced with some less-shiny, less-opulent armor with the chest punched out. And he’s got a bladed lance. A guandao would be more the appropriate name, if Balthus knew what a guandao was. 

“How’s about we rough him up and take back what we lost!” 

The dreamy haze cast over their surroundings–those memories melded into bubbles and iridescent shadows in every corner of the venue–are completely lost on him. Poor Baltie thinks he’ll walk away a winner somehow. 

Backup: Balthus 10/10HP deals -1HP to Maddest Hatter 18/25HP* [Maddest Hatter 17.5/25HP*]

Launching off his feet, he delivers two brusque blows to the Hatter’s torso, careful not to let his blade bite any of that pricey coat. This opens him up to Ivy’s attack, which the Wolf is all-too willing to step back and let her perform. In fact, the display gets a hoot out of him. Cheering her on, he ebbs back into the fray. 

“Hey, no offense, but I’ve never met a princess-type who can throw a punch like you. Your old man teach you any of that?” 

Balthus 10/10HP misses Maddest Hatter 8.5/25HP* with Harmony Lance [Roll: 5 - 4 = 1, -0 HP, Maddest Hatter 8.5/25HP*] Maddest Hatter 8.5/25HP* counterattacks and hits Balthus 10/10HP with Raise the Stakes [Roll: 9, -0HP, Balthus 10/10HP] Seal Speed: Maddest Hatter 8.5/25HP* loses all speed buffs until R2P Adaptability: Balthus 10/10HP gains +1 defense until R2P

On the contrary, he hits nothing but the air with his swing. Having dragged the weapon against the floor to build momentum, he intended to let it fly with the kind of might that’d flatten the top of that poser’s hat. But his opponent reads him with ease, snapping a finger and creating some coin to drop on his head.

Good thing Balthus is so dense, else it might’ve actually hurt.

“Tch… Playing your cards close to your chest? Hurry up and make your wager–opportunity doesn’t knock on its own, you know!”

CAN'T LOSE THIS ONE: @nelithic !

　𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐎 𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐎.

　　　　　 　　 　 　　 　❪　team five　/　silver round　❫