Chris's Recap
"Hayaji was coming off their second loss in a row, and without a cabin to keep themselves warm in the mountains, they were forced to huddle together in the cold. Watts, having learned from Freya the holders of each immunity medal clue, sought out Ellie, the receiver of the Fox Immunity Medal clue, in an attempt to form a cross-team alliance. However, Zaiyrin was there as well and hurried Ellie along before she and Watts could have any sort of conversation in private. Mission failed, we'll get em next time, Watts. The challenge, presented by Zero Sum contestant Davon Le Rouge, was a renaissance theme fashion show, where teams created outfits and chose three people to model them on stage in front of the judges of yours truly, Chef, and Davon himself, with the added twist being that not only are their outfits being judged, but also their character and their gameplay thus far! Aaron managed to drown out his own critique with a song but he couldn't stop Chef and I from hinting to Raul about his true nature. But Aaron wasn't the only one whose hidden nature was put in jeopardy, as Claude was caught torturing a fox in a trap by Simon, Ellie, Gran, and Watts, forcing the butler to scramble for an explanation. At the end of the challenge, Hayaji managed to come out on top, a welcome change of pace for them, sending a slightly fractured Team Inari to elimination, where, due to her general clumsiness, Ash was voted out of the game, but not before Zaiyrin promised he would lead Inari to first place in the upcoming challenge. Speaking of, Perci's challenge is about to go down! Which of these teams has what it takes to live a life in the heartlands? And who is about to see their chance at victory trot off into the night? Find out right here! On Total! Drama! Niiiiialasach!"
*Total Drama Theme Song Plays*
As the song starts, various cameras come out of the flora and fauna all around the island.
Dear Mom and Dad, I'm doing fine, you guys are on my mind
The camera zooms around all of Crios Cath before finally entering into the Nialasach Ruins.
You asked me what I wanted to be and now I think the answer is plain to see,
Aaron is on his skateboard, skating through the ruins, and as he moves forward, Claude can be seen following him, cleaning up the dust left by his skateboard tracks so that he can clear a path for Monica, who smiles at him, but ends up rolling her eyes, annoyed, when she's sure he isn't looking, and begins to pay attention to another part of the ruins, which the camera then shifts to.
I wanna be famous
Watts is looking over Erin's shoulder at an experiment she is working on, and she seems to be attempting to hide it from him, when the ruins wall explodes, causing Erin to fall back into Watts's arms before shoving herself out of them, the two then look over to see that the explosion was caused by Ash accidentally triggering a tripwire. She smiles and waves in an attempt to make the situation less embarrassing for her.
I want to live close to the sun
Camera switches to show Alison sitting on a beach chair and relaxing before waves come crashing in and ruin her clothes. She stands up with a huff and takes the beach chair further inland, but the same event happens, and she appears to let out a scream.
Well pack your bags, 'cause I've already won
Camera shifts up to reveal that Simon and Arnold both saw Alison's ordeal, and while Simon starts to snicker at it, Arnold begins to flamboyantly tell Simon off, and Simon plugs his ears and walks away with rolling eyes.
Everything to prove, nothing in my way, I'll get there one day
Camera shifts to Upper Ceol Fields, where Zaiyrin is seen showering Cherry with all manner of gifts and compliments, and Cherry somewhat scoffs at them before blushing with a smile once Zaiyrin leaves and heading over to Ellie to talk excitedly with her about it while Ellie is working on a costume.
'Cause I wanna be famous
Rashi and Phooko both see the events with Zaiyrin, Cherry, and Ellie, and quietly laugh to each other as they both tend to a small garden of growing plants, with Phooko's plants looking quite healthy, and Rashi's plants looking unnaturally perfect.
Na na nananana nanananana na nanananana
Camera shifts to the Glas Woods, where Raul and Vanessa are sketching each other with smiles. Camera first hovers over Raul's shoulder showing a brilliantly done sketch of Vanessa, then switches over to Vanessa's shoulder, where a sketch of Raul can be seen, but Vanessa needs to keep adding wolves to the sketch as they crowd around Raul like he's part of their pack.
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous
Mark is playing music in Cailleach Bog, but immediately rolls out of the way of a falling tree, he looks over to see an almost seething Mirai, who turns to him and begins to smile sweetly as she begs him to play. Mark is a little nervous at first but as he begins to play, Mirai begins to cheer peacefully as the camera shifts to Lower Ceol Fields.
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous
In Lower Ceol Fields, Donny and Gabriel are engaged in a rather heated argument, and Christa and Jenae both walk up to Donny and Gabriel respectively, Christa tries to comfort Donny, but he begins arguing with her instead. Meanwhile, Jenae begins to continue to argue with Gabriel, but he stops her when he notices she's moving her hand down his chest.
As the other contestants whistle the rest of the tune around the Tine Naofa Bonfire, Gran and Zaheen both attempt to make the fire grow larger. Upon Gran's attempt the fire blows up in his face, causing Zaheen to snicker as she pulls off the trick perfectly and the flames begin to form the season title: Total Drama Nialasach
Location: Upper Ceol Fields
Contestant(s): Ellie, Gran
"This can't go on, Ellie." Gran sighed as he and Ellie walked along a narrow creek with the fishing spear, one of two cam luxury's the team still had, looking for small freshwater fish to catch. "He says he's some master strategist but it was his decision to take the longest paths to the end of our first challenge, and it was his decision to put Ash up on the catwalk for the fashion show. I mean, what did he think was going to happen?"
"I know how you feel." Ellie nodded back at Gran. "Zaiyrin is a bit...eccentric, I suppose. But it's not like you didn't have the opportunity to vote him off. So you must at least think there's some merit to his claim about winning us the next challenge."
"I do." Gran nodded. "If nothing else, that man knows Zero Sum, and if all the challenges are based off of Zero Sum contestants, and created by them as well, then he's one of our only assets heading forward in the game."
"I….suppose." Ellie narrowed her eyes as some salmon began to swim by. "Now!"
Gran stabbed the spear through two smaller fish.
"Half a fish for everyone?" He asked.
"Hrm…" Ellie crossed her arms and thought. "If we can somehow grind the wheat up into flour we might be able to make some crude bread to help us keep ourselves going."
"Hopefully Cherry and Zaiyrin have repaired the grill then." Gran sighed. "Otherwise we might be going hungry today."
Confessional: Ellie: Team Inari
"Last ceremony, I voted for Zaiyrin, and I could have sent him home if I had brought my Fox medal with me, but I didn't, because I felt like I had the numbers to not need to play it, and in a sense I was right. I didn't receive any votes, but I didn't count on Gran giving Zaiyrin yet another chance. Now I definitely can't play the medal, otherwise I'd burn bridges with both Cherry and Zaiyrin, and it's too early in the game for me to think about burning bridges, especially when I think Cherry and I get along pretty well. I don't want to piss off someone who might be entirely loyal, that would be so mean! So that just means that we have to try harder at this next challenge, especially since we've never actually come in first. I'll admit, I have little idea as to what's coming next. The last episode of Zero Sum I was able to see before getting on the boat that brought me here was Davon's elimination, so I don't know how the rest of it plays out. Other than the fact that Kaede won apparently, thanks for spoiling that for me, Chris. In any case, I need to avoid ruffling feathers right now, especially with Zaiyrin suspicious enough of me to keep me away from Cherry for a while."
End Confessional
Confessional: Gran: Team Inari
"We. Are. Boned. We're tied with Hayaji at only four people each, and Ebisu and Fudo are both still sitting pretty at full teams of six! Our grill is a mess, and our fishing spear can only help us poke the slowest salmon out of the creek. And unlike Hayaji who can at least take shelter in abandoned mines or caves and shit, we're stuck here out in the open. Foxes aren't the only animal here either by the way, a whole bunch of wild bulls are around and we do not want to have to deal with them. The way things are going for us, Zaiyrin's claim that he can win us this upcoming challenge, whatever it is, is our only real hope. It's a bit of a Hail Mary, but then again, aren't those kinds of moves what this game is all about? Let's throw all our eggs in that basket, caution be damned! We're already on the bottom, so we have nothing to lose, especially since he'd be an easy vote off over me if we do!"
End Confessional
Location: Cloc Mountain Range
Contestant(s): Simon, Zaheen
Simon dug around in the abandoned mine caves of the mountains looking for any hint at all to the location of the Force Immunity Medal.
Confessional: Simon: Team Hayaji
"Hayaji won the most recent challenge which is great, and in an ideal world, we would keep winning challenges, but being realistic means recognizing that both our team and Team Inari are dwindling in numbers, and likely lower on morale because of it. Not to mention luxuries. The towels are nice to use as blankets and all, especially since we also have the shower, but they are not our cabin. It's freezing out here, we're all cold and miserable, and I, like an idiot, got myself onto the enemy list of our team's current ringleader. That's why I need to find that medal before anyone else, because I do not want to be the one to go home if we end up losing again."
End Confessional
Zaheen meanwhile hummed pleasantly as she trailed Simon before quickly catching up to him.
"You don't need to go mining, darling, we've got our charcoal still, the fire will be fine." She tipped her hat towards him.
Simon looked around to make sure no one else was there. "They're both back at camp right now?" He asked.
Zaheen nodded.
"Then I don't suppose you'd entertain the idea of voting Claude with me the next time we lose, would you?"
"Claude? Whatever for?" Zaheen asked with a brow risen curiously.
"Bluntly, animal cruelty." Simon responded in a hushed whisper. "Just don't tell him you know about it. I want him to trust me enough that I can persuade him to vote Monica, that way a tie won't be forced. And again, this is all assuming we lose. Ideally we just win until the team shuffle."
"Team shuffle?" Zaheen asked again with a grin.
"Oh my-" Simon stopped himself. "Sorry, I forgot I'm the only one on this team that has any Zero Sum knowledge at all. We're going down to three teams of six at the final 18."
"Ahhh, yes, that sounds intriguing." Zaheen smirked. "So, am I to assume you're looking for a possible cross-team alliance out of this, darling?"
"Assume whatever you like." Simon sighed as he gave up trying to look for the already found medal while Zaheen was with him. "I just don't want to be the next one going home, not when I'm out there putting in my full effort."
Confessional: Simon: Team Hayaji
"So I'm looking for the medal, and all of a sudden here comes Zaheen. Immediately, I'm in a bit of a panic mode since I've been caught red-handed you know? But that girl is observant so she probably would get distracted by things she didn't know, and bam! I hit her with what Claude was caught doing at the last challenge. Hopefully she doesn't suspect anything, but even if she does, she's probably too distracted by that 'top secret info' to go and play tattletale. But this isn't looking good. I've looked everywhere and haven't found it yet, which leads me to believe, I might already be too late."
End Confessional
Confessional: Zaheen: Team Hayaji
"I went for a small stroll and what did I see but Simon, digging around for that Force Immunity Medal that I already know Monica has. That boy believes more than anything else that he's on his last legs in this game, and judging by the way Monica grumbles about him, he might be right on the money. Still though...his Claude news was...very interesting information, darlings, and I'd be a fool to not make use of it. Perhaps, island gods willing, this masterful illusionist will perform one of this game's greatest feats, a spectacular blindside!"
End Confessional
Location: Neart Highlands
Contestant(s): Alison, Gabriel, Watts
"Hnnngh!" Alison stretched as she woke up in the team cabin, while Watts poured over the wall writings with the fervor of an archaeologist on the most important dig of his life.
"I'd say good morning, but you look like horse shit." She yawned in Watt's general direction.
"Gee, thanks." Watts rolled his eyes. "I'll have you know I woke up at a normal time, but Gabriel's probably going to come barging in here any second asking about the challenge of the week and nothing against the guy, but I'm so close to cracking this code, so now would not be the best time."
"Well that lines up fairly well I think." Alison stood up and put her heels back on. "I'll go out and tell him about what it'll probably be. Fairly hard to go wrong when Perci's the next one up, innit?"
Watts's eyes shot open.
He turned around.
"No way. You mean to tell me that you...you, have seen Zero Sum?"
"Of course, I'm not some loser who goes into games blind."
"Then you know who wrote these-"
"Ohmygosh Jaaaammmmeesssss…." She groaned as she rolled her eyes. "I don't care about your little fan project yet, right now priority numero uno is getting Gabey-Baby more comfortable keeping me around than that scientist bitch."
"Gabey-Baby…" Watts narrowed his eyes. "Think that one might be laying it on a bit thick a bit soon?"
"Well he's too emotionally stunted to fall for even the most obviously flirtatious snuggling I've got. Gotta start using my Gift of Gab."
And with that, Alison left the cabin, leaving Watts alone to pour over the texts on the wall.
"Hmm.." He put a hand to his mouth. "I'm just about there...but if I'm right...then there is a bit of a problem here…"
Confessional: Watts: Team Fudo
"None of these strategies, not a single one, is possible without quite a few people involved. Like, a lot. Basically all of Fudo. I guess I didn't see much of it in the final edit, but now that I think back on it, it was alluded to that Hubert would often talk with other players beside his one alliance partner, usually behind her back too. And that's where the real problem comes in. Hi guys, remember me, the introverted guy who hangs out with the scientist because she's away from everyone else so often? Yeah, not exactly my favorite development here, and considering her general personality, if I brought Erin in on all of this, no way would anyone really want to work with us. Gabriel maybe, but Mark's made his stance pretty damn clear, and Jenae even clearer. I don't like it, but the more I pour over these words, the more I feel like Alison might actually be my best bet going forwards in this game… I should kick myself for saying that."
End Confessional
Alison, on the other side of the cabin door, quickly noticed Gabriel heading in her direction.
"Gabey-Baby, there you are~!" She sang sweetly as she skipped up to him, grappled his arm between hers, and began to lead him away towards the couch that was still outside the cabin.
"Your favorite lady is here to shed some light on whose challenge is next."
Gabriel blinked.
"So Watts is in the cabin. Alright, if you don't mind I'd like to get the info from him so-"
"That's so cruel…" Alison pouted, forming crocodile tears. "And here I was ready to share it with you to help prove my worth…"
"O-oh...uh…" Gabriel slowly sat back down as Alison hid her grinning face in her hands.
"Well, go ahead. I guess it doesn't really matter who we get the info from."
"Right." Alison nodded as she wiped her fake tears away and began her haughty lecture.
"Persephone 'Perci' Porter was an early boot without much to her name in the original Zero Sum. She was labelled as the 'southern belle' so I'd bet my best outfit that it's something gross and disgusting like actual ranch work."
"I...see…" Gabriel thought to himself. "Are you sure you can do it?"
"Pfft." Alison laughed. "I can do it better than you can, Gabey-Baby."
"That's…" Gabriel rose a brow.
"Nah-ah-ah…" Alison once again gripped his arm to stop him from getting up off the couch. "You're staying here~. Let Jenae be the bad cop for the other three this morning. I didn't have to come out here you know."
"I…" Gabriel gulped. "Suppose that's fair…"
Confessional: Alison: Team Fudo
"This is almost too easy. Too easy. The longer Watts stays in that cabin that I don't let anyone else into, the more jealous Gabriel's going to get subconsciously, which makes it all the more effective when I lay those flirts on him. Ohh, I can already feel his family's money dropping into my bank account! Then there's Mark who clearly already wants to marry me so that one's not even hard if I need a backup, and if I play my cards juuust right, and pretend to be that tsundere super fan that Watts seems to think I am, on the off chance that he wins, I could always start working the angle on him. Yeah, no matter what, Alison Palmer is sitting pretty. It only makes sense though. I am the greatest member of Fudo after all."
End Confessional
Confessional: Gabriel: Team Fudo
"Alison is starting to get...very um...very comfortable running up to me and hugging me like that. I think it's probably her last ditch effort to stay in this game over Erin, but let me clear, the only reason it's working...is that she's proven she has a more intimate knowledge of Zero Sum. That's the only reason. I won't deny that she's very good looking, arguably the best looking girl out here, but I'm, thankfully, not completely hopeless socially. I know a liar doesn't change so easily and Alison Palmer is a liar. The trouble is, that's still something. I don't have any sort of read on Erin at all, and in a game like this, you really don't want to have unknown variables on your playing field."
End Confessional
Location: Cailleach Bog
Contestant(s): Rashi, Raul, Vanessa
Raul tapped Vanessa on the shoulder and showed her his notepad.
"Beautiful." She read aloud before looking back at her sketch of the team, though she'd slyly paired everyone up so that her and Raul, Aaron and Mirai, and Phooko and Rashi were all closer to each other than anyone else on the team.
"Thanks…" She smiled up at him. "I don't think it's that much different from the other two though…"
Raul gulped before he opened his mouth.
"I...meant you too…"
Vanessa's eyes widened as her face flushed. "I um…" She began to giggle softly.
"I had a feeling your voice was deep but...oh I'm sorry, I'm making this weird aren't I? It's just that I do kind of like you too but we are in the middle of a game for a million dollars with only one winner and I also just now realized that it's hard for you to talk to stop me from digging my foot in my mouth anymore than I already am an wow I'm just going to keep talking aren't I? U-um...I think you look very well rested today? O-okay, I think I'll uh...go...now…"
Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu
"Okay, okay, okay, okay, I can do this, calm down, V. A guy you like likes you too. Was calling me beautiful his first move? Or did I accidentally make the first move by just gushing all of that out like that just now? Well, the good news is that at the very least, he thinks I look good, and I mean we do have a lot of fun together, but man, I don't know...in game romances are...like I'm down for it, so down, but I don't want that to be all I do in this game you know? I don't want to turn into whatever the heck Mirai is becoming."
End Confessional
As Vanessa left, Rashi came on the scene.
"Oh Raul, I didn't realize you were also out here."
"Just looking for some berries." Raul hastily scribbled down on his notepad.
"I see." Rashi grinned. "And those two berries just so happened be on Van-"
Raul silently pleaded with Rashi to stop, which she did.
Confessional: Rashi: Team Ebisu
"We have the mattresses...so I think it's only a matter of time before one of those pairs starts *ahem* sharing. And for all I know, it might be Phooko and I first. The dude has wit, is respectful of the land and helps me out with the garden all the time. But thankfully this whole buddy system has kept everything drama free, as far as I can tell. I did notice a northern pike among the arctic graylings in one of the inland rivers today so that was odd, but hey let's keep the confessional focused on how much Vanessa and Raul clearly want to get in each other's pants. Hey, I ship it. Just as long as they can do what myself, Phooko, Aaron and Mirai are doing and put whatever they get up to at camp on hold for our challenges. Because Mother Nature here wants to win!"
End Confessional
"Well, it's clear that your throat injury might make flirting a bit of a challenge for you." Rashi shrugged at Raul. "My condolences to you, good sir." She gave a bow before giggling herself and walking off further into the bog.
Raul scribbled on his notepad and shoved it into the camera.
"I really don't understand that woman sometimes."
Confessional: Raul: Team Ebisu
After writing in his notepad, Raul turned the sheet of paper to the camera for the viewers to read.
"Well, that obviously could have gone better, but it's a huge relief to know that she seems about as into me as I am into her. Our biggest obstacle is overcoming this communication barrier. But even then, I need to make extra sure I don't spend so much time with her that Aaron starts to get suspicious. Dunno how much of what I heard in the most recent challenge was true, but even if it's all false, I definitely don't want to jeopardize my alliance."
End Confessional
Location: Neart Highlands
Contestant(s): Alison, Erin, Jenae, Mark
"What the heck are you doing here?" Erin asked as she noticed Alison waltz up to her work station.
"First, the fire's getting a little low and you're on that." Alison sighed. "Next, if you'd care to take the bone I'm throwing you, is that I say me, you, Mark, and Watts form an alliance."
"Not your politician playtoy?" Erin snarked.
"Eww no, Gabey-Baby doesn't deserve to get caught up in this plan. He'd put a stop to it right away probably because it wouldn't seem 'fair' or something."
"So basically blindside Jenae, alright." Erin mused. "Why though? She's athletic, and works hard around camp, and she's seen Zero Sum so I see no reason to get rid of her."
"No reason?" Alison huffed. "Well then, why don't you look over there?"
She forcefully turned Erin's head to where Jenae and Mark were talking to each other a couple hundred feet away.
"That is not a good spot for an alliance meeting." Alison whispered in Erin's ear as the two stayed low. "But they luckily haven't seen us because you're always hunched over researching those ants."
"Shh, I'm trying to listen." Erin shushed her.
Confessional: Erin: Team Fudo
"So, out of nowhere, next to go home Alison just comes up to my research station that I feel I've made very clear is my private station. And bam, points out Jenae and Mark having some sort of secret alliance meeting because they think they're actually far enough from camp for it. I mean, I'm still not entirely convinced that these people aren't all acting characters from some sort of overarching script that I simply haven't been made privy to because I'm not one of the main ones, but it does seem...odd that Jenae and Mark would talk to each other. I might not socialize but I am still paying fucking attention, so I know that Mark he doesn't like Jenae. Neither does Watts. Gabriel...Gabriel likes the way Jenae looks, but that doofus is still easily tempted by Alison too so yeah, pretty easy case to say Jenae is unpopular. So that's what I wanted to get from listening in on her conversation with Mark."
Postpone Confessional
"She's a bitch who does nothing but lock us out of our own cabin!" Jenae continued campaigning for Alison to go home to Mark. "Or have the men of this team just decided to only think with their dicks for some reason?"
"I'll be the first to admit she's sexy as hell," Mark held his ground, "but that's not why I want to keep her. Just think back to the first challenge, she flipped out of a pit...in heels! In the second challenge, she chugged that gross drink and was the reason we didn't go to elimination. In the third challenge, she immediately made her target blush, and in the fourth challenge, she might not have been up on that runway, but she was damn sure making the clothes work. The hell has Erin done that she can put on her resume like that? I think rather than the guys thinking with their dicks, you're thinking with your-"
"Don't make me share who found that fucking medal clue, Mark because I will end you so fast!" Jenae cut him off.
"It doesn't matter because we don't have it! You do!"
"I-whwwhwhwhaaa?" Jenae was not expecting the accusation to come from Mark. "I don't have the medal!"
Resume Confessional
"Jenae is one terrible liar to freak out like that after Mark clearly was just throwing accusations around in the heat of the moment. Either way though, I see Alison's point. The two of us are clearly on the bottom, but with a little, ugh, feminine wiles, we could probably convince Mark and Watts to blindside Jenae, assuming we lose that is, which we will not. I'll make sure of that."
End Confessional
Confessional: Mark: Team Fudo
"So Jenae and I were arguing and all of a sudden in the heat of the moment, I was basically all like "No you have the medal" and wouldn't you know it? She becomes a completely different personality trying waaay too hard to hide the fact that she actually did have it. This is huge, huuuge. I know Watts has been trying to find the real location of that thing for a few days now, and I'm the one that knows about it. Maybe this will be enough to convince him to just trust me on this and to keep Alison around and get rid of Erin instead."
End Confessional
Confessional: Jenae: Team Fudo
"So Mark has probably figured out that I have the medal, big deal. He's not going to tell anyone except maybe Watts or Alison, the former is probably still pissy at him since they want to vote off each other's crushes, and the latter is someone no one would really take on her word anyways. And even if somehow all of that did happen, we sure as hell ain't losin' out here! Jenae's team doesn't lose. Gabriel's team might lose, Alison's team might lose, hell even Watt's team might lose, but Janae's team doesn't lose. Jenae's team wins!"
End Confessional
Location: Cailleach Bog
Contestant(s): Aaron, Mirai, Phooko, Rashi
"So the next challenge is Perci's." Aaron instructed Rashi as Mirai cuddled herself up against his arm, while Phooko, clearly silently making fun of a so far oblivious Mirai, copied her actions on Rashi. "The good news is that it's probably not going to be very dangerous, but I bet it'll still be fairly hard. I think this one's mostly going to be a test of physical endurance."
"Why was she a super endurant girl?" Rashi asked.
Aaron shook his head. "Not terribly, no. But I have to assume that the Southern Belle would have a bunch of ranch work for us."
"You should do the ranch work shirtless, Aaron…" Mirai tugged on his arm with a coy smile.
"Will you go shirtless with me?" Aaron chuckled at her, getting a giggle in response before their lips quickly connected and departed.
"Oh-ho" Rashi turned to Phooko. "You're copying her right? Think you can-"
Rashi was briefly interrupted by Phooko pressing his lips to hers before he pulled back.
"Oh he can!" She laughed.
Mirai, starting to get a little jealous of the laughter, pulled Aaron in for another kiss.
Phooko and Rashi both sort of giggled at each other before following suit and soon both pairs were making out.
Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu
"Two reasons. First reason is that Rashi is fun to be around, hot, and really chill about this whole experience, so yeah, I'm hoping for something there. Second reason? Mirai and Aaron have been joined at the hip since the third challenge, and I want to let them know that they aren't the only people out here. They don't have the power they think they have. They're fine people as far as I'm aware, but I heard what Chris said to Raul, and I know he wasn't talking about me or Rashi. That means we have to be wary. Rashi knows it too."
End Confessional
Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu
"Not going to turn away a girl like Mirai because she is A: The hottest girl out here, and B: would probably kill me if I did. I wasn't surprised that Phooko and Rashi followed suit, since they've been sort of forced to spend time with each other, what with me taking the best catch and Raul and Vanessa having their own thing going on. But in any case, I'm sitting pretty with the Fish Immunity Medal, and I have an alliance with Mirai and Raul, who himself probably can pull in Vanessa, so while Phooko and Rashi probably think this team is three pairs of two, it's really one double date alliance against the two of them. Too bad so sad if we lose, but hey, they made Mirai jealous by laughing while we weren't so what did they expect?"
End Confessional
Confessional: Mirai: Team Ebisu
"Alright, okay, okay, I don't know what stunt those two were trying to pull, but they should count themselves lucky that Aaron was so easily roped back into our liplock, because the only one who should be able to distract him is me. Anyone else, bye-bye. It's my and my boy all the way to the final two. So they better take note of who the top couple really is, because right now I have our de facto leader wrapped around my finger so it's my way or the highway. I don't want to start shit, but if they keep it up, I have nooo problem finishing shit."
End Confessional
Location: Upper Ceol Fields
Contestant(s): Cherry, Ellie, Gran, Zaiyrin
"It's simple, my friends!" Zaiyrin smiled at his team as he gave them all a pep talk before the challenge was announced. "Today's challenge is one of ranch work, hosted by a Persephone 'Perci' Porter! I deduce three separate heats, the winners of each heat remaining safe from elimination until only one team remains. Our goal is then to determine what the very first heat will be, and simply win it, claiming first place and our wheel of reward spin."
Confessional: Gran: Team Inari
"I shit you not, the very second Ellie and I get back to camp with some cod, Zaiyrin pulls everyone aside to start talking about the challenge, making these wild deductions out of nowhere, but none of us can really challenge him on this. Like, we're getting to the end of what Ellie's seen of Zero Sum and Cherry and I are just, ploop, treading dangerous waters here."
End Confessional
Confessional: Ellie: Team Inari
"So Zaiyrin starts talking about the challenge and how he intends to give us first place to fulfill his promise, but I don't know...something tells me he doesn't really fear failing to deliver all that much. Some sort of twist that he's banking on is probably coming up soon I bet, that's probably what it is."
End Confessional
"The first thing I think of is cattle." Cherry shrugged. "And the methane that goes along with them." She scrunched up her nose. "If only we had a numbers advantage so I could volunteer to sit this one out."
"Cherry, you incredible, beautiful muse, that's it!" Zaiyrin exclaimed, taking the entire team of Inari aback. "It's corralling livestock! Probably from horseback too! So that is what we shall practice! Everyone grab one of the lariats Cherry and I were fashioning today just in case for practice! We likely don't have much time!"
Confessional: Cherry: Team Inari
"As over the top as that nerdy loser is, I can't deny that I feel just a tad bit giddy whenever he compliments me like that. For that reason, I don't mind keeping him around a bit longer even if we do lose the challenge today. Gran is just a walking self-destruction after all. No use for the failing magician here. The circus girl should be all the entertainment this team needs."
End Confessional
Confessional: Zaiyrin: Team Inari
"Today is the today, viewing world, today is the day you see my deductive powers in action! And with it, Inari's much needed first place victory! I have my sorcerer, Gran, my monk, Cherry, my cleric Ellie, and I...I am the tactician! Together our party will overcome all the others and show that Inari might be down...but Inari is not out yet! The other teams will be outfoxed!"
End Confessional
Location: Cloc Mountain Range
Contestant(s): Claude, Monica, Simon, Zaheen
"Perci's challenge is next guys." Simon let everyone know. "If any of you aren't that good with animals, then taking a backseat during the challenge might be for the best. It might not be the whole thing, but I imagine corralling livestock will be a part of it. I can also see plowing fields and harvesting specific crops."
"So it's just...a bunch of southern chores?" Monica shrugged. "Easy."
Confessional: Monica: Team Hayaji
"I am sitting sooo at the top that it's not even funny. I've got an idol, Zaheen's on my side, Claude is almost entirely loyal. Simon doesn't have a prayer, seriously, poor guy is a dead man walking...er… hopping. That said...I don't know what's coming up next in this game, and he does...and it isn't like I necessarily will need Claude or Zaheen moving forward. The problem is, no way is Simon ever going to actually trust me after he saw the stunt I pulled from the opposite side anyone was supposed to see."
End Confessional
"Well…" Claude tilted his head back and forth, cracking his neck as the four Hayaji team members kept warm under their towels. "Not to boast but I do know quite a few good crops by heart, so I can take that if it comes up."
"I think we'll probably all have to take everything, darling." Zaheen shook her head with a sorry smile. "Everything will be fine as long as we behave ourselves."
Confessional: Claude: Team Hayaji
"She knows. Somehow Zaheen knows, and that's...truly unfortunate, because it either means she's always known and is choosing now to blackmail me with something, or that Simon has spread the secret before I could prove to him my vote was secure. Nothing worse than knowing you have at least one enemy on the island. I don't get what they're so upset about anyways. It's not like I'm doing any of that 'animal torture' stuff to humans...sheesh."
End Confessional
Confessional: Zaheen: Team Hayaji
"Ohhh, watching the little gears work in their heads truly is the best part of showmanship."
End Confessional
"Attention!" Chris called from a chopper overhead. "Everyone, report to the Upper Ceol Fields for your next challenge! And please don't be late, rude to keep our southern belle waiting!"
Confessional: Simon: Team Hayaji
"This is it...do or die time. Man, for my sake, I hope it's 'do'."
End Confessional
Location: Lower Ceol Fields
Contestant(s): All Remaining
"Welcome remaining campers!" Chris announced as he stood next to a woman with long red hair in a bright green sundress, a large sun hat with a green ribbon topping her head. She waved at the contestants. "Howdy guys, the name's Perci, and I do hope y'all are ready to get into the nitty gritty o' this here challenge o' mine today!"
The teams all cheered.
"Oh good, looks like they've all been preparing for it." Chris smiled. "Hopefully that means I won't have to answer any questions. Anyways, take it away Perci!"
"Right!" Perci nodded. "This here challenge is set up inta three parts! Firstly, we got Corrallin', secondly we got Plowin' and finally, we got Harvestin'. For this here challenge, each team will send up four people to participate, and after each part, a new team will win immunity, until the last team left will have ta head ta Tine Naofa for their elimination ceremony. Finally, if y'all are someone who didn't wear clothes last challenge, y'all gotta participate this time, can't let y'all coast by without any time in the spotlight."
"Thanks for the quick explanation Perci!" Chris smiled. "Teams Ebisu and Fudo, I'll give you two a minute to think about who's sitting out and we'll get started."
"Me." Mark whispered to Fudo.
"You sure?" Gabriel looked over at him. "I can already tell Jenae doesn't want to do this, I'd hate to lose more muscle, why don't I…"
"No, I really can't." Mark shook his head.
The rest of the team exchanged skeptical glances.
"Whatever." Gabriel shrugged.
Confessional: Gabriel: Team Fudo
"Mark was pretty adamant about sitting out today, but he wouldn't really explain why. It just seemed kind of off-brand, especially considering he'd get to be working up close with Alison, whom it's pretty clear he likes. Is this still about him and Watts and some sort of spat they had? Wow...I need to get a better grasp on the emotional state of my team. Either way though, it's unfortunate, he'd probably have been a big help here."
End Confessional
Challenge: Work The Land
The teams will compete elimination style to determine who is most suited to workin' the land! The team that wins the round earns themselves an immunity and the team that does the overall best in the challenge gets to spin the Wheel of Reward. Only four members from each team are allowed to compete. Whoever didn't walk the runway in the last challenge HAS to participate.
Round 1: Corrallin' (Corralling the most livestock)
Round 2: Plowin' (Plowing the most land)
Round 3: Harvestin' (Harvesting the most of the correct crops)
Ebisu is sitting out: Aaron and Mirai
Fudo is sitting out: Jenae and Mark
Location: Lower Ceol Fields
Contestant(s): All Remaining
Participating:
Hayaji: Claude, Monica, Simon, Zaheen
Ebisu: Phooko, Rashi, Raul, Vanessa
Inari: Cherry, Ellie, Gran, Zaiyrin
Fudo: Alison, Erin, Gabriel, Watts
Bench: Aaron, Jenae, Mark, Mirai
Round 1: Animal Herdin'
"We have our teams!" Chris announced as Claude, Monica, Simon, and Zaheen, Phooko, Rashi, Raul, and Vanessa, Cherry, Ellie, Gran, and Zaiyrin, and Alison, Erin, Gabriel, and Watts all sat upon horses Perci had provided at a starting line, overlooking many sheep and cattle strewn across the fields. "After the half-hour is up, the team with the most animals successfully corralled into their color coded fence will win immunity and be safe from elimination. The remaining three teams will continue on to the next round! Are we ready? Go!"
Immediately all of Inari, Alison, and Rashi took off on their horses.
"Inari is off to an early lead, already whipping up their lariats!" Chris announced.
"Come on guys, it's a horse, it's not that hard!" Monica called back to Claude and Zaheen as she and Simon looked back to see they weren't moving along as quickly.
"I'm just trying to make sure this one's going to be fine, darling!" Zaheen quickly threw Claude under the bus.
Confessional: Claude: Team Hayaji
"Don't kick the horse too hard. Don't kick the horse too hard. Don't give them a reason to vote you off…"
End Confessional
"I'll simply catch any that run this way, acting as a guard as it were." Claude attempted to save face.
Simon and Monica both sighed and continued towards the area where most of the animals were.
"Hup!" Erin managed to catch up to where Alison was and both women managed to snag some sheep.
"The Fudo ladies leading two back into their fence already!" Chris announced "But every Inari player is coming back with cattle of their own, they are flying through this challenge."
Confessional: Gran: Team Inari
"This is working? This is working! Oh crap, we're actually gonna do it!"
End Confessional
Confessional: Zaiyrin: Team Inari
"I am a master strategist, and I've reached max stats of max level in just about every kind of game. These sort of laid back simulation games are no different. In fact I managed a ranch around the size of Crios Cath in one of my most recent playthroughs. So I was fairly confident in my claim at the last ceremony. Of course, even if we don't come in first, so long as I can hold out for one more challenge after this one, I can obtain a new party during the team shuffle."
End Confessional
"We're about halfway done and Team Inari is clear in the lead with eight animals, Fudo is behind them with only four, Team Ebisu is trailing with three, and Hayaji is in last place with a single animal caught by Simon!"
Confessional: Simon: Team Hayaji
"Phew, thanks for that help, Chris. Hopefully this'll help Monica think I'm worth sticking around over the two that clearly are dead weight right now."
End Confessional
"I've got one!" Vanessa called out as Raul and Phooko helped her bring it back into their team's fence.
"Ebisu and Fudo are now tied for second, but Hayaji, now at two thanks to Monica, is in a clear last place!"
Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu
"Oh wow, I can't believe I managed to get one! This is great, and now we're tied with Fudo, our clear rival team who I think Mirai hates right? She's probably say something stupid like 'We have to douse their fire out permanently' or something, but thankfully Raul stepped up to compete with the rest of us instead. So we don't have to put up with listening to...that."
End Confessional
Confessional: Aaron: Team Ebisu
"I'm not an idiot, and I'm damn sure not about to go the Liu-Ten route, so Mirai and I might be on the bench today, but we are actively watching the challenge. The reason I'm letting Raul go ahead and help instead of stepping up myself, or putting Mirai the war horse to dominate, is because I want to make sure one of them is our reason for a loss if it does occur. I'll be fine, Mirai will be fine because she's such an easy number, and Raul will be fine as long as he sticks with us, but if either of us accidentally screwed up, and gave Phooko the opportunity to convince Raul to get rid of us, that would ruin everything I've built so far."
End Confessional
"Annnd...that's time!" Chris announced. "In a surprisingly clear-cut first place we have TEAM INARI! They are IMMUNE and will not have to vote off another contestant for capturing a record fifteen animals!"
Cheers erupted from the four Team Inari members as they celebrated their victory.
Confessional: Ellie: Team Inari
"Ohmyugosh I can't believe this actually happened! But we did it! We won! WE WON! Finally, some actual good fortune comes our way!"
End Confessional
Confessional: Cherry: Team Inari
"Well...I'm surprised...the fool managed to do it after all."
End Confessional
Confessional: Gran: Team Inari
"Oh crap, we did it! We've got a fucking break, finally! Hopefully we can go ahead and win something actually useful like charcoal, or food."
End Confessional
Confessional: Zaiyrin: Team Inari
"And Zaiyrin delivers what he promised, just as he knew he would!"
End Confessional
Round 2: Soil Tillin'
"Alright…" Chris announced as Claude, Monica, Simon, and Zaheen, Phooko, Rashi, Raul, and Vanessa, and Alison, Erin, Gabriel, and Watts all took their places, each one about to pull an old plow. "This one's a lot easier. You'll be judged based on how much soil you are able to successfully plow! Contestants ready...go!"
Immediately all of Fudo, Hayaji and Ebisu took off, pulling and pushing their old rusty plows.
"This is so disgusting, but at least it won't ruin my hair…" Alison looked on what she considered the bright side.
"It's just some...physical labor…" Gabriel panted as he, Watts, and Erin all kept pace.
"Guys, listen, just don't slow down, whatever you do." Erin shared. "Breaking inertia is what will lose us this challenge, we need to win it. We can't let Ebisu get a leg up on us."
"Alright then, let's make this a little more fun and race each other to finish as much as we can personally!" Watts shared.
"A productive idea." Gabriel nodded.
Confessional: Watts: Team Fudo
"I'm not entirely done committing the strategies in the cabin to memory yet, so I need some more time, and the only way to guarantee that is to not lose. It also helps me think of a way to dig Erin out of her bad spot, because as crazy it sounds I think she's probably one of the more trustworthy people here after Gabriel. Prickly sure, but she's been pretty honest so far as well."
End Confessional
Confessional: Gabriel: Team Fudo
"Color me impressed with everyone's performance in the challenge today. It's upsetting we couldn't have finished first, but it's clearly not a lack of effort on anyone's part. I should really think of something I can do to reward everyone."
End Confessional
Meanwhile, Ebisu was having a more difficult time of things, as while Raul and Rashi were making good progress, both Vanessa and Phooko were reaching their physical limits fairly early.
"This is...not...as fun...as the last part…" Vanessa complained to Phooko.
"No kidding...this is….oh...the worst…" He replied. "By the way...Vanessa…"
"Hrm?"
"You and Raul…"
"Oh...is the crush that obvious?" Vanessa blushed.
"I ship it if that helps." Phooko smiled.
Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu
"I was going to ask if she and Raul were in any sort of alliance, to try and gauge who it is that's our villain Chris and Chef mentioned, but it's pretty clear from her answer that it's not her. That leaves us with two options...and them being joined at the hip, clearly marinating in sexual tension on the challenge bench, that means our villain won't be easy to get rid of. But this is good, this means that Rashi and I might be able to work over Vanessa and Raul away from that other pair. Only if the worst comes to pass of course. Ideally, we manage to survive another week."
End Confessional
"We can do it!" Monica cheered as she, Simon and Claude looked back at Zaheen who was struggling a little as they all plowed their sections of field. "We just have to stick together and plow!"
"We're gaining on Fudo." Simon nodded. "But that means we need to keep going, so no breaks."
"I understand darlings…" Zaheen gasped as she kept trying to keep pace. "But this...not an illusionist's forte…"
Confessional: Zaheen: Team Hayaji
"This challenge was still brutal, darlings...my arms feel like they're about to explode, and my poor legs are already asleep as I sit down here."
End Confessional
Confessional: Claude: Team Hayaji
"Zaheen certainly hasn't been performing completely up to snuff this challenge. It's unfortunate, but the more leverage I have over someone else, the better my chances of staying alive are, so if we do lose, I'll be sure to make it known who was actually performing the worst."
End Confessional
"This match is much closer than the last one" Chris announced. "Everyone appears to be roughly neck and neck in terms of total area covered...and now...we're done! Everyone put down your plows!"
The contestants all immediately let go of their tools and hobbled back to Chris as Perci went down to inspect the fields and tally the results.
"I'm back…" Perci announced as she regrouped with everyone. "And this here part's winners are...Team Fudo!"
Cheers erupted as Alison quickly jumped on Gabriel in a hug before they all calmed down, happier to be safe more than anything else.
Confessional: Erin: Team Fudo
"Well, we might not have won, but at least we aren't going to Tine Naofa. That's good. It gives me more time to think about what Alison showed me, and I guess...if I have to, some time to work on Watts."
End Confessional
Confessional: Alison: Team Fudo
"Oh, victories are such a great time to just inch closer to my Gabey-Baby target, and it's much easier when Jenae is over on the bench! Now if I can blindside that fucking thorn in my side off the island I can start to lay it on heavy. But it looks like I'll have to wait for just a little longer to do that."
End Confessional
Confessional: Watts: Team Fudo
"Oh phew...we're still in this. Erin is still in this, and Mark and I are still in this...That's a huge load off my shoulders, especially when that cabin needs to stick around for just a little longer."
End Confessional
Confessional: Gabriel: Team Fudo
"We've done it. We've managed to stay in this game, which is what matters most at the end of the day. I'm surprised Alison was able to accurately predict the challenge. Perhaps she's more useful than Jenae has been leading us all to believe. Erin too was surprisingly effective here. Honestly, we might not have won first, but I'm beyond proud of everyone's performance here. Perhaps I can organize some sort of party for team morale."
End Confessional
Round 3: Crop Harvestin'
"Teams Hayaji and Ebisu…" Chris announced as Claude, Monica, Simon and Zaheen, and Phooko, Rashi, Raul, and Vanessa stood at the entrance to a field full of samey looking crops. "This one's going to be easy. This field is full of carrots, but it's also full of wheatgrass, and they're both in various stages of development where they look almost identical. Your goal is to pull up as many carrots as you can, and as a bonus you get to keep what you pull up as food! But, if you pull up some wheatgrass, I'm taking points away from your total score! Now go out there and harvest people, you've only got a half hour, go go go!"
Without any hesitation, everyone ran off into the fields.
"Rashi, Claude, and Phooko all out there grabbing carrots like it's nobody's business!" Chris announced. "Monica, Vanessa, and Simon all paying careful attention to the pattern of the stalks sticking out of the ground, while Zaheen and Raul seem to just be going off of luck entirely!"
Confessional: Rashi: Team Ebisu
"This one is so easy. So so easy. Phooko and I are tending a garden and we legit already have some carrots! So we fucking know what carrots look like, alright? The only way we're losing this is if both Vanessan and Raul pull up nothing but wheatgrass, but they've both been about 50/50 so far."
End Confessional
Confessional: Claude: Team Hayaji
"I'm doing what I can to instruct my team on how to pick the carrots, but the difference is hardly noticeable right now, and they all still seem to be going at a 50/50 spot. I just have to hope that ultimately we're picking more carrots than the other team is."
End Confessional
Confessional: Zaheen: Team Hayaji
"I'm not going entirely out of luck darlings, an illusionist like myself knows better than most where to look for subtle differences. No, I simply want to let the other teams think I'm not terribly threatening darlings, because I am, and what they don't see will end up biting them."
End Confessional
Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu
"So, we're just pulling up crop after crop and getting a lot of carrots which is nice and all, even though we do already have a garden and a chicken coop and free dinner, but what's important is that Raul and I started to realize that Phooko and Rashi seemed to only be pulling up carrots, so we started looking for what was different about their grabs than some of the wheatgrass we've been pulling up."
End Confessional
"Look, the carrots all have this sort of 'V' connecting the stalks…" Vanessa pointed out, Raul nodded as they both found crops that resembled the description and pulled up two carrots.
"Woo!" She smiled as she and Raul high-fived each other and kept pulling.
"Guys, V stems…" Claude tried to explain, and while Monica and Simon quickly took heed, Zaheen still occasionally snuck some wheatgrass into the pile.
"And…." Chris announced. "TIME!"
He went to count the amount of carrots and wheatgrass gathered by each team.
"Team Hayaji…" Chris looked around. "You've managed to pick a solid 60 carrots, and 21 wheatgrass plants, for a total score of 39!"
He turned to Ebisu.
"Team Ebisu…" Chris looked around. "You've only managed to pick 52 carrots, but you've also only picked...7 wheatgrass, for a total score of 45! Ebisu AVOIDS elimination yet again, and Hayaji, coming off of their brief victory, WILL be sent to the Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination Ceremony for their THIRD Time!"
Cheers erupted from Team Ebisu as both Phooko and Rashi and Raul and Vanessa embraced in relieved kisses.
Over on the challenge bench, Aaron and Mirai did the same.
This celebration didn't escape the notice of any of the Hayaji members.
Confessional: Vanessa: Team Ebisu
"We won, and in the moment Raul and I we just sort of...ehehehe...That was pretty nice. And it's even nicer knowing that we're not going to have to vote each other off any time soon."
End Confessional
Confessional: Raul: Team Ebisu
Raul scribbles on his notepad before showing it to the camera. "Man, I don't know what came over us, but being able to finally kiss Vanessa was amazing, especially as a victory celebration."
End Confessional
Confessional: Rashi: Team Ebisu
"Oh phew...I was so worried...so freaking worried, that because of how well our team has been pairing off and getting along that we'd be forced to vote someone off, but nope, we're team fucking Ebisu. We're unbeatable!"
End Confessional
Confessional: Phooko: Team Ebisu
"And thanks to spending time with Rashi in her garden, we were able to survive this challenge. Just goes to show you how you should never pass up opportunities in this game. Hopefully we can do even better in the next challenge though, because come on? Third place? That's not our style."
End Confessional
"For performing so admirably…" Perci announced. "Team Inari will spin the Wheel of Reward."
"Get us something good from them, Zaiyrin!" Ellie called as Zaiyrin stepped up confidently to spin the wheel.
"Charcoal for our grill would be ideal!" Gran called out.
Zaiyrin spun the wheel.
Charcoal, Towels, Shower, the wheel spun and spun and spun going through all three options until finally, it landed on...The Shower.
"You know what? I'll take it." Cherry sighed.
"You've got to be kidding me…" Monica groaned.
"Team Hayaji…" Chris smiled. "Let's head on over the bonfire for your elimination ceremony, shall we?"
Location: Tine Naofa Bonfire Elimination Ceremony
Contestant(s): Claude, Monica, Simon, Zaheen
"Monica...this team won the last challenge…" Chris smirked. "What happened?"
"I wish I knew, Chris." Monica admitted. "Claude dropped the ball during the first part of the challenge, Zaheen during the second part, and during that last bit, I guess we just grabbed too much wheatgrass early on or something."
"So, Claude, Zaheen, that's both your names being thrown out there. Make you feel a little unsafe?"
"Perhaps, Chris." Zaheen tipped her hat. "But my team knows that I've never been the most physical player, darling, I'm much more fond of a cloak and dagger approach to things. Whereas Claude...well, his daggers already have blood on them don't they?"
Confessional: Claude: Team Hayaji
"So she is trying to throw me under the bus then, very well. Two can play at this game."
End Confessional
"I assume she is referring to the animal Simon caught me with. I had asked him to keep that a secret and was even willing to give him my vote but-"
"But I never agreed to that." Simon pointed out. "I simply brought him back to the challenge we were supposed to be participating in."
"But I doubt Simon feels very safe at all tonight either, Chris." Claude responded. "He was Christa's ally and we know how well she's fared. In fact earlier today he left camp for quite a while, my bet is that he was looking for the immunity medal."
"Oh, please, Simon doesn't have the immunity medal…" Zaheen smiled. "Monica does."
"She does?!" Claude, Simon, and a pretending Chris all asked in shock.
"I do?!" Monica glared daggers at Zaheen.
"Oh, she does, darlings, I saw her grab it." Zaheen hummed with another tip of her hat.
"This makes things interesting doesn't it?" Chris snickered. "Monica, you've been outed as the holder of the immunity medal, Simon, you're the member on the outs of this team, Claude, your treatment of animals is cause for concern, and Zaheen, well, it seems pretty clear to me that you were today's worst performer. Adequate reasons to get rid of any of you."
"Adequate perhaps." Monica said. "But right now...My mind is thinking less about how badly or greatly people performed today, and more about if I can be sure they won't be distracted in challenges moving forward."
"Here's something I thought I'd never say, but I agree with Monica." Simon chimed in. "Right now, what matters most is focus more than anything else."
"Alright with that said…" Chris smiled. "It's time to vote. Zaheen, you're up first."
Confessional: Zaheen: Team Hayaji
"I'm merely flushing out your powerful weapon, Monica, I think we all know who is really going home tonight, don't we darling?"
End Confessional
After Zaheen, it was Simon.
Confessional: Simon: Team Hayaji
"If she does play her medal, no way am I risking her vote being the only one that counts, so sorry Claude, but you just disturb me a little too much to keep you around."
End Confessional
After Simon, it was Claude.
Confessional: Claude: Team Hayaji
"Hopefully this last ditch effort works here."
End Confessional
Finally, Monica was up to vote.
Confessional: Monica: Team Hayaji
"I didn't think I'd be writing your name down this soon, but it is what it is."
End Confessional
"I'll go tally the votes…" Chris announced.
The other contestants were not waiting very long.
"Alright!" He came back. "I have with me a plate with three medals on it. If I call your name, come up and receive your meddle. If you don't receive a medal, you must immediately walk into the Tomb of Shame, and give up any hope of winning the million dollar prize. But before I give out the medals, if anyone has a hidden immunity medal, and would like to play it, now would be the time to do so."
All eyes were on Monica.
She reached into her bag.
"Chris…" She took out the Force Immunity Medal and placed it around her neck. "I'm keeping it, not playing it. Not this early."
Simon bit his lip nervously as Chris nodded.
"In that case…" He smiled as he tossed a medal Zaheen's way. "Zaheen, you're safe. Two medals left."
…
…
…
…
"Simon." Chris smiled as he tossed another medal.
Simon exhaled in complete relief as he kept the medal close to his chest.
"Lady and Gent…" Chris looked at Monica and Claude. "This is the last medal of the evening…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
And it goes to…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
… Monica." Chris tossed the final medal to Monica.
"Well then…" Claude stood up. "I suppose blaming the butler is the old excuse isn't it? Very well. I'll head off, but the three of you better find shelter and fast. You know how cold the mountains get at night, and I'm not there to permanently tend your fire anymore."
And with that, Claude entered the Tomb of Shame.
"Well…" Chris looked at the remaining three Hayaji members. "You guys are down to three players left. The good news is, a team of three has succeeded once before. Let's see if you can recreate that history, or if that blindside has left too sour a taste in your mouths. Head back to your camp."
The three remaining members of Team Hayaji stood up and walked back off toward the Cloc Mountain Range, while Chris turned into the camera. "And just like the Killer Waves before them, Team Hayaji is down to three players left! Will they repeat history and win the next challenge or will they crumble and fall? Find out next time!
On Total!
Drama!
Niiiiialasach!"
*Claude's Final Confessional:
"Well, I didn't think they'd get so squeamish so easily, but I did know it was a flaw of mine which was why I tried to hide it in the first place. Don't understand what they're thinking to be honest. I'm a loyal servant to his masters or mistresses, but it was clear no one acceptable for my services was on that team, so perhaps this is for the best. I feel as though Ellie, or Vanessa or perhaps even Alison would be a better master to serve, so those three will have my attention and cheer on each of the other teams, and if I had to choose a Hayaji member, perhaps Monica, but all three of those people have effectively lost my trust."
End Confessional*
The Votes for those who are curious
Claude voted for…Simon
Monica voted for…Claude
Simon voted for…Claude
Zaheen voted for...Monica
AN:
Claude: Boy is Claude a character. He had such an interesting design and had a lot of possible character paths he could have gone down. Unfortunately, like most early boots, Claude suffers from the wrong team wrong time label here. If the votes had perhaps gone the way Donny had intended them to, I could have seen Claude making it fairly far (I'm not sure about winning or even the merge since his animal cruelty thing is a pretty universal no-no, but fairly far nonetheless). Claude was actually originally submitted for The Cursed Island, but came to me just a tad too late and all the male slots were taken. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to actually write him here in Nialasach.
For those of you wondering, Claude's alignment was Chaotic Neutral (CN), yeah despite being a butler, he did sort of seem to just do whatever he wanted, thought it was pretty clear he didn't enjoy upsetting other people.
Having studied his actions throughout the season, Claude receives the status of: Neutral
He was disturbing sure, but when it came to the game, he didn't do all that much, and even just now he sided with Zaheen in her attempted blindside more out of writing a name down that wasn't his thn any villainous intent as far as the game was concerned.
Claude's best moment: Honestly, as disturbing as it was, Claude's moment when he's caught torturing the fox is probably the most indicative of his entire character. To be caught, and clearly be remorseful but for the obviously wrong reasons. I think it was a pretty powerful scene, especially given the more comedic tone of the fic overall so far, so I'd say that's probably Claude's best moment.
Claude will be back for the finale, I wonder if he'll be able to tone himself down or if all the time he spends in the tomb of shame will keep him craving his animal torture fix.
Eliana's challenge is up next! What do you guys think it will be?
And as always, thank you for reading!
AN2:
Link to my discord is on my profile for those who want to come join.
