Chapter 1328 1328 Cannonball

Chapter 1328 1328 Cannonball

--- Kat ---

As a group the team of five, along with Lily, headed for the first round of the day. It was quite obvious where it was due to the massive neon arrows that had shown up at some point after Kat's run. The group broke out into a sprint to ensure they arrived in time... with Kat carrying an embarrassed Gareth in a bridal hold while Lily hung off her back. Once they'd picked up the pace they made it to the end of the island where Thyme had set up. There was a big stage with a long table and three chairs behind it.

Thyme was standing off to the side waiting on... well just Kat's team. The others had filed in and found their seats in the stands sitting behind the raised dais. It was a little embarrassing to be the last ones to arrive, but they weren't late just yet. There was more than enough chairs for everyone, even March who took up three chairs by herself.

Once everyone was sitting Thyme clapped their hands to draw everyone's attention and started speaking, "Welcome one and all to the final day of the contest! I'm sure you'll all be fighting hard against the current frontrunners because if you don't it's all over! That's right, Kat and Lily, Kress, Nixilei, Green and Gareth. Altogether, they are just two points from certain victory.

"The day will continue regardless of the outcome of this first challenge. I do have standards after all... but the fight will be over. If the chance at the win vanishes I'll put up some minor consolation prizes to encourage you all to still try, but it's best you're all aware of the stakes straight up... noVelb1n

"Of course by that same token, the frontrunners might fight even harder, secure their victory as well as the bonus prizes. It could happen, and I am nothing if not an impartial judge... normally anyway. In this particularly challenge you'll find I'll be anything but impartial! The question is, how am I messing things up! Let me explain,"

Thyme paused and gestured off to the side as the ground started to shake. The stands shook from side to side as the sand vibrated down on the ground. The ocean waves, once lapping against the bank were now clearly being pushed away as something rose from the ground. It didn't take long to work out what it was. A giant metal cannon. Borgick looked like he was about to do something unsavoury in public just from the sight alone.

"The challenge before you is a mixture of a few things. On the surface, it's a diving challenge. You'll be shot out of the cannon you see off to the side. From there you can do whatever tricks you want before landing into the water. Once you've returned to the shore, the judges will give you a score.

"Though the trick here... is that all of the judges are me! You might think that would make the scoring simple. I'm sure you're all thinking 'So we just have to impress Thyme'? If so you'd be wrong. As I said, it's not that simple. Each of the three 'judges' will be grading you on something different on a score of one to ten. How they score you will remain the same between rounds, and will be something you can control.

[Actually... I could probably do this.]

*What? Um... no to sound shocked but I didn't think this would be the sort of thing that interests you. Are you any good at diving? I've not really seen you swim all that much and it's worse now you're a Memphis.*

[I was never a professional or anything even close to that but... my old best friend used to drag me to the pool during the summers and I got into diving as we aged out of the basic swimming lessons. It was mostly just an excuse to learn more things while at the pool... but I still remember them pretty well.]

[There is also the fact that my mother really likes to watch the Olympic divers every time its on television. I mean my dad watches as well, but he's more interested in the contestants in swimsuits then the performance so he doesn't really count. Mum would pull me in sometimes if I was free so... I do know a fair bit about professional diving.]

[It... oddly makes me the most qualified person. Maybe. See that's the thing. I wonder if Green or Nixilei might still be better for this. I haven't practiced in years and I'm not as acrobatic as either of those two.]

* Well... is this something you want to do?*

[Sort of? I want to do SOMETHING useful... but I will admit to not really wanting to get wet... but I also recognise that this might be my only chance at participating in an event where I can do better then you. Um... not to be mean or anything, I like that you're competent but... well you know]

*Lily, you won the obstacle race yesterday.*

[Yeah but that doesn't count. I just stole Burnice's idea and Marigold helped me a whole bunch!]