AN: There is a new feature at the beginning of these chapters now called the contestant tracker! Courtesy ofthe Discord Server, this is where we track the journey of the current contestants through their guilds! Have a look!
Contestant Tracker:
Allen: Desert → Kaniun
Amethyst: Majraa
Braden: Majraa
Cole: Aljibal
Christopher: Aljibal
Declan: Majraa
Eleanor: Sahra
Evelyn: Kaniun
Hansel: Sahra
Harry: Aljibal
James: Sahra
Jeremy: Aljibal → Desert
Jianne: Sahra
Kairo: Sahra
Katniss: Majraa
Laurie: Sahra → Desert
Larissa: Majraa
Lizzy: Kaniun → Desert → Majraa
Luna: Sahra
Mason: Aljibal
Rosa: Aljibal
Selena: Sahra → Desert → ?
Tony: Kaniun
Vivielle: Majraa
Sister Vivian: Majraa
Wendy: Kaniun
Winter: Kaniun
The Current Guilds:
The Sahra Guild: Eleanor, Hansel, James, Jianne, Kairo, Laurie, Luna
The Majraa Guild: Amethyst, Braden, Declan, Katniss, Larissa, Lizzy, Vivielle, Sister Vivian
The Kaniun Guild: Allen, Evelyn, Tony, Wendy, Winter
The Aljibal Guild: Christopher, Cole, Harry, Mason, Rosa, Selena
Desert Exiles: Jeremy, Laurie
Chris Recap
"Last time on Total Drama Qatilat…
"Kaniun tried to buy some more supplies from Da Shoppe to help their chances in their upcoming challenge. Too bad they might have skill issues. Aljibal did some duel practice with a good ole game of Texas Hold 'Em. How did Harry manage to sneak past our security with a deck of cards, I have no idea. What I do know is that someone is getting fired! On Sahra, Kairo tried insisting to spend more coins on sticks. Too bad no one would budge. The whole guild went on separate missions to gather more firewood. During Brainstorm's search, their little alliance meeting got stormed by Luna. James quickly came up with a solution for how to deal with Luna. Meanwhile, Majraa was surprised by Lizzy joining their guild to where Sister Vivian had to ask if it was real. Everyone got a chance to hang out with Lizzy for worse or for better.
"This week, Selena, Hansel, Amethyst, Tony, and Harry joined me for the Duels. We played a game of It Suits Me, something production came up with. Selena played herself into exile, and Harry came up on top with the most coins gained.
"During the challenge, we invited Perci to come in and judge the challenge. Before the challenge, Allen joined Kaniun. Perci judged harshly, and the contestants did poorly! In the end, Aljibal won their first challenge all because Cole and Rosa were already experienced dancers, and Kaniun were the unfortunate losers. Again! Laurie was nominated for Loser Tax. We'll see how much that reshapes Sahra. In my opinion, I don't think it will be that much!
"Rosa came over to the Kaniun Kove and took their beans! Allen tried his hardest to assimilate before the ceremony. I think he did a pretty good job, and JT failed to make enough lasting connections to yield him the boot.
"This week, it will be anyone's game! Will Kaniun catch a break? Will any contestants be out of the desert before the challenge starts? How will Selena do on her new guild? Answers and more here! On Total!
"Drama!
"Qatilat!"
The Sarim Desert
Contestants: Jeremy, Laurie
Jeremy awoke from the desert shelter. He picked up his coin pouch and passed by Laurie on his way to the finish line.
She wiped some sweat off of her forehead. "You're finished already?"
Jeremy nodded. "It's actually not that bad right now. As much as you'll probably want to get back in the game as soon as possible, you should probably get some rest so that you don't enter the game, and it's a challenge."
Laurie nodded. "Good thinking. Good luck in the game."
Jeremy nodded. "Same to you."
The Ocean
Contestants: All Remaining
The contestants awoke on some rafts. Chris was on a pirate ship with an airhorn. "Good morning contestants!"
Winter stretched. "Ugh, my back."
"How did we get here?" James scratched his head.
Chris shrugged. "I just pitched the idea and let the producers deal with how they got you here. Anywho, it is time for your next challenge! But first, we have a few formalities to address."
Selena rubbed her eyes. "Like why are we doing a challenge this early in the morning?"
"Well, namely, you. Contestants, take a look and notice Selena in the Aljibal Guild!"
Selena turned to look at her new guild. "I hope you didn't mind me taking one of the empty huts."
"I also have Jeremy with me ready to walk the plank." Chris said in a pirate voice.
"Yargh!" Cole cheered. "Swim over to me raft, exile!"
"Actually, Jeremy will be swimming over to Sahra's raft."
Jeremy stood on the edge of the plank. "Is this really necessary?"
Chef nodded.
Jeremy plugged his nose and jumped into the ocean. He quickly swam up to Sahra's raft where Kairo and Hansel helped him up.
Kairo shook Jeremy's hand once the exile was oriented. "Welcome to the guild, young one. I see you're a fighter."
Jeremy shrugged. "I would consider myself neither a fighter nor a lover, but I am a capable contestant ready to compete for this guild."
"We'll get along well then."
Confessional: Jeremy: The Sahra Guild
"Okay, so going in right before the challenge was not the plan, and it was something that I warned Laurie against!" Jeremy facepalmed. "Just because Chris started the challenge early, it killed anytime I would have had socializing with the guild before the challenge. I better hope this is a challenge where we do a lot of discussing. If we lose, it won't look good on my end."
End Confessional
Larissa took some notes in her journal.
Declan came up. "Whatcha up to, mate?" He said jokingly in an Australian accent.
"Updating my journal of love. I'm not really shipping anyone on those guilds. I'm just keeping track of who's been where, just in case anyone I don't really know asks me about love." Larissa snapped her book shut. "It's just good to keep tabs."
Declan nodded. "It'll be good in this game too."
The rest of Majraa sat on the other end of the raft. Lizzy broke the silence. "So who do you all think is going to end up losing tonight?"
"Huh?" Sister Vivian was shocked. "If we choose to predict who it'll be, it's going to be us! That's just how luck works."
Katniss scratched her chin with her foot. "Me thinks Sahra. New guy no fit."
Lizzy nodded. "So you think he's going to break their victory streak."
Katniss nodded.
Vivielle glanced at the other guild. "I think it's going to be Kaniun. They have such small numbers. I don't think they'll last the challenge today."
Confessional: Vivielle: The Majraa Guild
"And you know when Chris starts a challenge this early in the day, the challenge will last all day, and it will test every component a challenge can test: brains, brawn, endurance, teamwork, puzzles, you name it. This will be a hard challenge."
End Confessional
Allen sat on the raft. "So what do you think the challenge will be today? Challenging~"
Wendy kept her hands at her hips. "Whate'er it is, we got our work cut out fer us. This ain't gon' be easy, but we'll hold 'em up!"
"Uhh, could you talk a little bit slower please?"
Evelyn giggled quietly. "She's just saying we'll need to work hard for this challenge. Give it our all. And then." Evelyn did a little dance. "Victory celebration."
Tony splashed up some water. "If we're going to be swimming today, I doubt we'll have the energy left to celebrate."
Winter stretched. "Yeah, the first thing I will do is take a long nap. Right into whatever it is we get to loot."
On Aljibal's raft, things got heated up.
"So," Selena sat on her raft, the rest of the members were arranged in a circle, "who's the leader around here?"
"I am!" Rosa declared.
"Who died?" Mason asked no one.
Rosa ignored him. "And you better give 100% if you want to avoid immediate elimination."
"Psh!" Selena brushed off. "I've been giving nothing less than 120% since the start of this whole game!"
Rosa pushed her pink ponytail back. "Then there shouldn't be any issues here."
"No one answered my question." Mason looked around all confused. "Someone must've died."
Christopher put his hand on Mason's shoulder. "Trevore did, but not actually! He's just not on the Guild anymore. And now Jeremy is on longer with us. Also not like that! He's just on another guild now. But now we have Rosa! And we won! Wow, Mason, have you not been here the past couple of days?" Christopher asked in full seriousness.
Cole cleared his throat. "Actually, we always had Rosa. She just never really took charge until it came naturally."
Selena nodded. "Okay then, guild. Let's do good today."
Chris' air horn sounded. "Contestants! It is time to have a challenge! Today, it's called Lost at Sea! This is an easy one. All you have to do is find your way back to The Jazira! Of course, the story is that you all just walked the plank, but Chef is your secret ally! He secured these rafts for you, and a few supplies. Now, I wanted a fight to the death cornucopia event for these supplies, but the lawyers have decided that the winners should pick first. I agreed. I know. Gasp. Anywho, Aljibal. You were the winners of the last challenge. The options are Oars, Life-preservers, the Map, or a Compass."
Rosa attempted to convene, but Mason ruined it, so she chose for the guild. "The oars."
"Majraa?"
After a small conversation. Sister Vivian pointed. "The life preservers."
Chris threw the life preservers out. "Interesting. This challenge is called 'Lost at Sea,' and the first two things chosen were the things that have nothing to do with finding your way back."
Confessional: Rosa: The Aljibal Guild
Rosa rubbed her arm. "That's because we'll be significantly slower without the oars."
End Confessional
Kairo held his hand up. "Sahra will take the map!"
Chris folded the map into a paper airplane and threw it at the survivalist. "That leaves the compass." He chucked it at Kaniun.
"Yee-Haw!" Wendy caught the compass. "This lil' guy was mah first choice."
Chris nodded. "With all that taken care of, the challenge can begin! The island is West of us." Chris blew his airhorn. "Good luck!"
Challenge: Lost at Sea
Rules: Contestants must make their way back to The Jazira with only their rafts, their wits, and the specialized item. That's it. That is the only rule.
Chris hit his airhorn and the challenge began.
Kairo unfolded the map and shielded his eyes from the sun. "I think I know where we need to be headed."
Hansel pointed in a certain direction. "That way?"
Kairo shook his head. "No no no, we need to be headed-" He stopped and realized. "Oh, uh, yes, actually."
Katniss did not shield her eyes from the sun. "We go this way." Katniss jumped into the water and kicked the raft towards where the island was.
Larissa threw in a life preserver. "Wait, we can use these!"
Lizzy rolled her eyes. "We won't really need them if we're kicking. Why did we get these anyways?"
Sister Vivian shrugged. "I knew we didn't need the map and the compass when we have Katniss. Besides, who knows what could happen out there, and we only have a measly raft."
Confessional: Declan: The Majraa Guild
"I like to think our teamwork is pretty good. Lizzy… disagrees with the life-preservers, but she hasn't really been here from the start in order to realize that. Katniss is pulling a lot of the work in our challenges, which is great. We would be nowhere without her."
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus: Kaniun
Winter held the compass. "So what exactly are we supposed to do with the compass? It's not really useful without the map."
Tony stood on the edge of the raft, tipping it slightly. "Sahra! I would like to propose a deal!" He shouted.
Sahra was long ahead.
"I suppose we cannot rely on the trust of another guild to give us proper directions." Allen shrugged. He took his shirt off. "Just know, I'm ready to get in the water whenever we know where to go."
Evelyn sighed. "How are we going to find our way home?"
Wendy stared at the compass for a bit and look back at the sun. "Watching the sunrise every mornin' sure does some good. We head thataway." Wendy pointed out.
"Good enough for me." Allen jumped into the water and began kicking.
Evelyn joined him. "At least it's in the same direction everyone else is moving in."
Wendy nodded. "That means we also need to keep a lookout for those followin' us."
Aljibal stayed stagnant.
Selena rolled her eyes. "This is a race. Why aren't we moving?"
Rosa shook her head. "I'm an athlete, not an ocean cartographer."
"We should've taken the map."
Cole pointed a finger. "A map is no good with a compass. I doubt any of us could tell where we are based on the sun."
Mason smirked. "Maybe Sly Ruse would know where to go."
"Sly Ruse be only a character." Cole shrugged. "I'm just an actor."
Harry shook his head. "We've spent enough time trying to figure out what to do. We have oars, and the others don't. That'll make us faster than them, at least. We just need to focus on catching up. Once we're caught up, we'll figure out what to do. I'm not taking votes. Take an oar and stroke when I say so."
Confessional: Harry: The Sahra Guild
"This is pretty stressful. It doesn't help that we're stranded with nothing but a few logs tied together, but Rosa is also freaking out some. Selena is frustrated that we're already in last, and the other three aren't very useful right now. Christopher, Cole, and Mason are a three that definitely need to be supervised when they're together. This challenge is purely survival. All four would have been great, but we only get one.
"I'm just holding out hope that staying behind initially will be a good play in the end. Think about it. We save the figuring out for the other guilds, and we sweep in behind right at the finish line. It's risky, but choosing the oars puts the odds more in our favor. I'll be sure to let the others know of my strategy if they ever start questioning what we do when we start seeing the others."
End Confessional
Confessional: James: The Sahra Guild
"I can't really complain too much today. Kairo has us rotating on who kicks, so we can all pitch in and recharge when we need to. We're in first, and two people on this guild seem to know what they're doing as far as navigation goes. I could too, but I don't think I'm as practiced as the other guys. Besides, I have other things to focus on like trying to sink the others."
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus: Sahra
"Stop!" Kairo called from the water. "It's time to switch. I've reached the end of where I know we're going."
Hansel held the map up. "But I could've navigated too."
Kairo dried his hands off with his dry clothes. He pulled a piece of war paint from his back pocket. "Can you mark where we're at right at this moment?" After a few moments, Hansel marked where he believed they were in the sea. Kairo took a look. "You are incorrect."
Hansel looked back up at the sky. "Have you considered how much the sun has moved from when we started and now?"
"It hasn't been that much time." Kairo shook his head. "We've only been in the water for about 30 minutes."
James checked his watch. "It's actually been an hour."
Jianne stopped in the middle of wringing her hair. "Well, no wonder I'm so tired, but damn. I'm about to take a nice, long nap."
Confessional: Jianne: The Sahra Guild
"And, kids, adults, humans, everyone, sunscreen is very important." Jianne said, holding up a bottle of the McLean brand, SPF 120 sunscreen that was given out to all the competitors for their duration of the competition.
End Confessional
"Can I look at the map?" Jianne asked. "We took a turn at some point."
"Yes," Kairo nodded. "So, in actuality, we should be here." Kairo marked where he thought they were.
"Is that going off of where you navigated, or is it where we are based on the time James provided?" Hansel asked.
Kairo stopped for a minute. "I think we're not too far away from my mark."
Luna rolled over from her nap. "If only we had some sort of neutral third party to stop this squabbling, so I can sleep."
Jeremy perked up. "Oh, that would be me, huh?" He took a look at the map. "We're fighting over a couple millimeters difference on this map. That's only one mile, I bet." He looked at the map a bit more closely. "Why doesn't this map have a distance scale?"
Eleanor rolled her eyes. "To hinder us more, I bet."
"Regardless, just as long as we keep traveling South of where we believed we started, we shouldn't run into too many issues."
Kairo nodded. "I could get behind that."
Hansel nodded, but didn't say anything.
Kairo clapped his hands. "Let's venture forth then. As much as I would like to continue on the water, I think I'll hold onto the map. Just until I have a good idea of where we are in place with everything else. Does switching out after another half hour to hour sound good?" The other half of the guild agreed and proceeded to get into the water. "That includes you, Luna."
Confessional: Luna: The Sahra Guild
"To be woken up this way is no fun at all. However, I find it crazy that 'Brainstorm' or whatever they want to call themselves, are unhappy with Kairo's leadership. He does so much for us, and even if Selena was here, I bet you he would still be leading this challenge. Hansel is still doing okay though. Ugh, we just need a new person to replace Selena's position. I don't think it'll be this Jeremy lad."
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus: Kaniun
Kaniun had things under control, for the most part.
Wendy nodded with the compass. "How are we doing down there, Allen, Winter, Ev?"
"I could do this all day, sweetie~" Allen said through a few pants.
"I could use a break." Winter panted some too.
"I could go on for a bit longer." Evelyn kept going.
"Let's hol' up for a minute." Wendy asked them to get up from the water. "We all needa break, and I think we're doin' good!"
Tony nodded. "From what I observed from the others, we are doing good. However, I need us to huddle up." The guild reluctantly huddled. "We're being followed. To the dot. Don't look behind me. I think we should head in another direction to confuse them."
"So… you don't want to convince them to make a deal?" Winter raised an eyebrow.
"Majraa, I have no intentions of working with them."
Confessional: Tony: The Kaniun Guild
"Amethyst had a pretty tall order back then. She didn't seem intent on offering any sorts of discounts or leeway." He scoffed. "That's fine. I don't need them. In fact, we can crush them."
End Confessional
Wendy nodded. "I think it's wortha shot. From what I remember about dockin' on tha first day, we docked on tha South parta tha island. Let's head Southwest instead West. I think that'll get 'em." The guild agreed with Wendy's plan. "I'll switch with ya, Winter, and I'll give you tha compass too. Tony, you'll switch out with Ev when she gets tired, and we'll keep going that way until people get tired."
Half the Kaniun members got in the water and kicked away.
Shift Camera Focus: Majraa
Majraa's raft came into view. However, no one had been on the raft, just the life preservers.
Sister Vivian popped her head up. "Wait, I don't see Kaniun anymore."
Larissa gasped. "We must've passed them!"
"Or," Vivielle mentioned, "we're hella lost."
Declan looked up. "But we've been going in the same direction as them. We should be going the right way."
Katniss boarded the raft. She looked up at the sun, shielding her eyes. "We not lost. Me knows we go West to island."
Lizzy scoffed. "So, we're going to continue what we're doing, even though we're lost?"
"We're not lost." Declan panted. "Katniss just explained that. She also is leading us West because Chris said the island is West."
"What part of the island is the finish line at?"
"I- huh? Maybe someone should've asked that question."
Larissa climbed up to the raft. "Well, we should have someone on watch to see if we really are going the right direction."
"And that should be you?" Lizzy asked.
"No, but it should be someone with a good sense of direction, or we should switch out."
Sister Vivian nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. That way, if we ever need to use the life preservers, we can because someone will be with them. Who has a good sense of direction?"
Katniss raised her hand.
Looking around at the others, Vivielle also raised her hand.
Confessional: Vivielle: The Majraa Guild
"It shouldn't be that hard to keep a guild of people on course."
End Confessional
Sister Vivian nodded. "Okay, so we can have two groups. One with Katniss, Larissa, Declan, and Braden, and the other group with me, Vivielle, Lizzy, and Amethyst. Sounds good?"
Everyone nodded.
"Which group will keep swimming?"
No one spoke up.
"Me can swim." Katniss nodded.
"Wha- wait! I don't know if I can!" Braden spoke up. "I'm just so tired."
Larissa put a hand on his shoulder. "We all are, but I get that you're one a different physical level then, well, at least me. You can sit out for as long as you need, and we should give that luxury to others who are not as physically adept. But we should limit them to at least kick with us for a little bit."
Lizzy shook her head. "Whatever gets us moving."
Confessional: Lizzy: The Majraa Guild
"This guild totally sucks compared to my old one. I miss them… even though they totally suck without me. Things are just too chummy here, and I think I'm about to crack! Everyone is just soo, like, intertwined, I'm left out. It's like this whole guild is just dying to make out with each other. Ugh!" Lizzy pointed to her tongue.
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus: Aljibal
The shot moved across the ocean. The waves foamed and moved over one another in a marvelous blue. The clouds soared across the sky as the camera found Aljibal. In the distance, there was another island, not The Jazira.
They moved at a quicker pace than the others; it was their main advantage. However, they were just as tired. Cole and Selena had even jumped into the water to kick to boost their speed even more. It was a marvelous pace for some oars and a raft.
But it was not fast enough to catch up.
Yet.
Harry, Rosa, Christopher, and Mason gripped their oars firmly. They moved and moved and moved. Never stopping.
Selena and Cole climbed up. Their turn was over. It was time for two others to kick. It was Rosa and Harry's turn.
"No, I can't." Rosa shook her head. Her hand shook as she gripped her oar tighter to make it stop. "I don't have a good relationship with water."
"Yeah," Mason chuckled, "she needs the water to be as cold as her!"
"I don't have any good memories with water, lakes, oceans, whatever! And this counts."
Harry looked around. "You two break it up. I'm noticing something. I've seen this place before."
The others looked around too. Selena perked up. "I know what you're talking about."
Confessional: Selena: The Aljibal Guild
"You'd have to have seen a particular season in order to recognize that little island that was back there." Selena nodded. "This is definitely the spot."
End Confessional
Selena sat at the front, replacing Harry. Rosa sat at the front with Selena, and the two women guided the ship. Christopher joined Harry in the water. Selena instructed the crew. "If Chris said the island is due West, that means we head this way. That would make the most sense considering logic."
Confessional: Selena: The Aljibal Guild
"This guild is messy. The only physical players are Cole, Rosa, and myself, and Rosa can barely participate due to her own cowardice. Not getting a good impression of a leader here. Harry is a good mental asset, but barely. Christopher got that social game, but he doesn't have the other two, and that doesn't give him much value. Mason is also weak, and he doesn't have a good social game. He is just all around a terrible member to have on your team. Sahra was filled with a lot of these types, but Mason's personality is so repelling! He's not a team player, and that is something that I do not stan. If you want to go fast, you go alone. If you want to go far, you go together. That's my thought process. It seems like everyone on this team wants to play it alone, but that's just not how it works! I will be taking the leadership position. This is my guild now, and I will take full responsibility even if we lose tonight. Sure hope not, but from where we are, probably…"
End Confessional
Location: The Jazira Production Site
Contestants: None
The production site was filled with laughter, joy, and a large feast. There, interns, lawyers, the producers, camera crew, and, most importantly, Chris and Chef were partying.
Chris sucked on a coconut drink, with sunglasses over his eyes. "Man, I am so glad our budget is great."
"Me too." Chef leaned back. "No more meddlesome kids to watch after."
"Sh'yeah!" Chris and Chef cheered their drinks.
Chris lowered his glasses as an intern handed him a script. He read it out loud. "Sahra is in first, far and ahead of the others. Kaniun places second with their sneaky tricks. Majraa is in third. Aljibal is quickly speeding up from last. It could still be anyone's game. Find out soon, on Total Drama Qatilat!"
Shift Camera Focus: Sahra
Sahra pushed forwards. Their raft shifted forwards and backwards. James kept his eyes on his watch. He let the other half of the guild in the waters for a little longer than agreed when he yelled, "Stop!"
Kairo got out of the water. "Okay, so now we're here." Kairo drew a dot on the map.
Hansel shook his head. "We're a bit farther than that, but I'm tired of fighting you."
"And that means you won't want to swim?"
"I never said that." Hansel shook his head. "I'm trying to help out, but it's frustrating when I'm not being listened to!"
"I never said I needed any help! I ask for help when it takes a team. It does not take a team to navigate."
Jianne climbed onto the raft. "I think that it is good to have two navigators. We just need to put a little bit of trust into each other. We live together. Why is going through a challenge so different?"
"It's meant to be a challenge, dear." Luna said, curled up.
Kairo and Hansel narrowed their eyes on each other.
"Whatever." Hansel shook his head. "I'll still keep track of where I think we are in case you ever need it."
"I won't, but I appreciate the service."
Confessional: Eleanor: The Sahra Guild
"So we're at the point where we ended up getting one of the leaders out for our own survival, and this is the cost. While I think the move is necessary for my game, I do miss Selena. She knew how to deal with Kairo, and she could plan around his quirks. Who knew that's what our scheme resulted in. Brainstorm needs to be more careful in the future… or maybe I should seek out some different allies."
End Confessional
Confessional: Jeremy: The Sahra Guild
"So, I'm on the guild that has been sweeping the competition. Can't say I'm proud to be in it. Hopefully, I can shape up this guild so that I can call it my home. So far, this place is really divided, and I mean really. We have some who sort of worship Kairo like they would be nowhere without him. I don't really see it. He's very demanding, and so far, not all that trusting. But then there's the other side of the party that he's ignoring. Hansel clearly said he was frustrated. I'm inclined to believe him, and I can figure out that he wants to get rid of him as soon as possible. These dynamics surround Kairo, and they are incredibly split."
Jeremy leaned back and cocked his head to the side. "It's only been a few hours though. Jianne was talking about their teamwork at camp, so maybe it'll be different once we get back to the island. People do act differently in different environments."
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus: Majraa
Further back was Majraa, and out in the distance, Kaniun. Majraa kicked the waters, varying their technique. With the life preservers, they could have two members pulling the raft instead of pushing. From distance to the island, Majraa was closer. Kaniun a bit further behind, but successful in their previous motive, and Majraa as well.
"Look!" Declan pointed at Kaniun. "We found them!"
"That must mean we're close!" Larissa cheered. "Why did they go so far down?"
Braden gasped. "The docks! They're headed to the docks! Should we head that way too?"
Amethyst shook her head, taking a small break on the raft. "No. Chris never mentioned what part of the island the finish line is on. He only said, first guild to make land. It's a foolish endeavor on their part."
Shift Camera Focus: Kaniun
Over on Kaniun, they had other thoughts about their endeavor. Wendy held her compass up. "This was a lucky break. Losers usually get the scraps, but they passed up on tha best tool!"
Winter took pictures of The Jazira coming into view. "This is so cool." She took some more. "I wonder if this is how they take promo pics for the season because I think mine are identical." She took some group pictures as well.
Evelyn laughed. "Just think about them sending the camera crew out on rafts just to get an aerial shot." The guild laughed with her.
Tony shook his head. "They probably use drones."
Due to the fact that all contestants were in earshot of the island, Chris announced things on the speakers. "Contestants, you are closing in on the island. Sahra is in first place! Second is Majraa! Aljibal just pushed past into third, leaving Kaniun in last!"
Wendy gasped. "So it wasn't a race to tha docks? No problem then. The docks are on the peninsula anyways, so there should be plenty o' land." Wendy jumped into the water with Allen. "Let's double time it!"
The rest of the guild jumped into the water, prioritizing their victory over rest.
Evelyn pushed. "We sleep when we're dead!"
Shift Camera Focus: Aljibal
Rosa's head tilted up at the announcement. "We're not in last!"
"Gotta keep pushing." Selena announced. "We don't want Loser Tax."
Christopher shook his head. "It should be called something else, like, third place isn't a loser."
Cole shrugged. "It's close! Chris just wants this season to be dramatic, and I think that's good. I live for drama."
"So you're gay?" Mason asked.
"Yes, but also no." Cole shrugged.
Selena rolled her eyes. "Mason, shut up."
"That doesn't work on me, lady!"
Rosa rolled her eyes. "Don't know how many times I've tried that one."
"Just don't call people gay and definitely don't talk about it on national television. That's private business unless you're looking for a date! It also makes people provoked and gives the editors an opportunity to put you in a bad light."
Mason gave her the hand. "Edit, schmedit. I'm having my fun."
"And." Selena pointed a finger at him. "You're being selfish with your fun."
Cole nodded. "So Selena is annoyed, Mason is the same, Christopher is upset, but we're still making good progress. I can see The Jazira." Cole pointed out.
Alijbal drifted across the waters, the oars ripping through the waves. In the distance, there were mountains. It became larger and larger until it became their home for the next couple of weeks.
Shift Camera Focus: Sahra
"There's the beach!" Jianne pointed out.
Eleanor nodded. "The water's getting shallow."
Kairo beckoned the others onto the raft. They climbed up and let the waves carry them on the beach.
The speakers cracked. "And Sahra places first! It'll take a hike to get to their campsite, but they can rest peacefully knowing that they get to loot later tonight!"
Sahra cheered for their victory, and using the map, they found their campsite.
Shift Camera Focus: Majraa
Majraa continued forward. They did not want to be in any other place than first or second, and now first was taken.
Second will have to do.
Things were going well. The less physically adept had to sit out of the challenge, but they were still making good progress as the island kept moving closer and closer to them.
Braden was determined to help though. He stayed in the waters and pushed through the tiredness. It became fun after a while, and a good way to build muscle.
He took a peek into the water every now and then, accustomed to the salt that kept falling into his eyes.
But he saw something. A fin. "Oh, do we have dolphins here?"
"Ooh," Larissa smiled. "I love dolphins!"
Sister Vivian stuck her head in the water. "Uh, I don't think those are dolphins."
"Then what are they?" Braden asked.
"They look like sharks."
"Sharks!" Braden and Larissa climbed out of the waters.
Braden ran around the raft. "Sharks! We're gonna die!"
Sister Vivian pushed the raft forward. "No one move. I'm gonna go check it out!"
"Check it out?" Larissa exclaimed. "You'll die!"
"It'll be more afraid of me than I am of it!" Sister Vivian dived down.
"Me make sure she safe." Katniss nodded. She cannonballed off of the raft.
Larissa, Braden, Declan, Vivielle, Amethyst, and Lizzy waited, peering off the edge of the raft. They were wobbly figures through the translucent waters.
Sister Vivian broke the surface tension. Katniss emerged after her, and both of them pushed their raft forward.
"Woah!" Lizzy squeaked. "What's the plan?"
"We just need to keep swimming forward." Sister Vivian pushed. "Katniss found someone that can help us."
Confessional: Braden: The Majraa Guild
"She found someone? Like… a mermaid? I didn't know those things were real."
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus: Kaniun
Kaniun was still nearing the shore of The Jazira. The rest of the guild panted from their raft. Wendy stood. "C'mon y'all, we gotta keep pushin'. We're almost second place! After so much we've been through!"
Allen shook his head. "You heard Chris though. We're in last. That means the others will dock soon."
Tony shook his head from the water. "All the more reason to keep pushing. I trust Wendy's navigation."
Evelyn nodded. "We could've finished faster, but I think going around prevents another guild from coming behind us."
Tony nodded. "Yes, that is the price they pay for not wanting to join up with us."
Wendy sighed. "We took the long way, but I can guarantee we won't place last."
Confessional: Allen: The Kaniun Guild
"No, she really can't."
End Confessional
Winter took a picture of something out in the distance. It was another guild. She zoomed in. "That's Aljibal out there. We're ahead of them. Maybe we won't place last."
"We won't place third either, but that ain't nothin' I can guarantee."
Shift Camera Focus: Aljibal
Aljibal struggled to maintain a good speed. With Rosa seeing the shore, she paddled frantically.
Selena sighed. "Rosa, stay with the beat."
"I'm not on the beat?"
"Yes, and it's slowing us down."
Harry sighed. "Let's break for a second."
Rosa took a second to calm down. "I'm fine. Someone call out the strokes."
"I'll do it." Cole volunteered. "Stroke! Stroke!"
"Stroke!" Mason called off beat. Everyone ignored him…
Until it became too much for Rosa. "If you aren't going to try," she yelled, "don't even bother being here!"
The raft stayed floating for a few seconds. The guild panted as the tensions rose. Rosa took another breath. "We need to continue forward. Stroke!"
Confessional: Rosa: The Aljibal Guild
"Okay, this challenge really is not my strong suit. It's physical sure, but it's in water. That only makes me wonder how many water based challenges there will be this season. There can't be too many….
….
….
… right?"
End Confessional
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"I really miss Jeremy. I forgot who sent him into the desert, but whoever did really fucked us up. And, you know what, I hate that they know that. I know they know that. And it sucks. That is all I shall say."
End Confessional
Shift Camera Focus: The Final Stretch
Majraa swam closer and closer to the island. However, the sharks in the ocean were not tame. Sister Vivian and Katniss climbed the raft and held onto a life preserver.
Sister Vivian handed them out. "Take one because we'RE GONNA NEED IT!" With a crash, the sharks broke the raft and sent the contestants flying in the air. They landed in the ocean with their life preservers. "Is everyone okay?"
Declan had his preserver around him like a floatee. He pointed a finger at everyone. "Yeah, there's eight of us."
Lizzy sighed. "Well then, let's swim to shore."
They aimlessly swam, but Amethyst tapped Sister Vivian's shoulder to make a recommendation.
Sister Vivian nodded. "Amethyst says that we should swim in a 'V' formation like geese."
Declan immediately did that. "Great idea, Amethyst."
With Katniss at the head, the contestants swam, following the rhythm of the waves made by Katniss.
Aljibal rowed their raft, right up next to Majraa. "Oooh!" Mason took a sharp, exaggerated inhale. "That sucks for you."
Selena turned to make eye contact with Mason. "If it wasn't the whole team to make it to the island, you'd have been marooned a long time ago."
Mason did his Scottish accent. "And me be the Vagabond that follow after ye."
"Why are you Scottish?"
"It's me pirate accent."
Rosa shook her head. "Just stop fighting. There's no saving him."
Aljibal moved further past Majraa. It was hopeless for them. Aljibal had the oars to sweep past. Majraa didn't even have a raft.
"Kaniun places second!" Chris announced.
"WOO-WEE!" Wendy threw her hat down on land, and pointed out at the distant Majraa. "That's why ya don't mess with the country!" She victory danced.
Chris held the megaphobe up to his mouth. "It looks like Aljibal will be placing third. Yawn! Where's the drama? The close race? Man, this episode will suck!"
"Not for us!" Harry gleamed.
A figure was emerging from below Majraa as they swam as quickly as they could to the shore. Katniss slowed down her pace, expecting what was to come.
The others began to be backed up, swimming close together.
"Why are we swimming so slow?" Vivielle asked.
The figure emerged. A large whale carried all of Majraa on its back.
"Woah!" Vivielle screamed, almost in excitement.
Larissa nodded. "Okay, maybe whales are better than dolphins!"
Aljibal kept rowing. Selena shook her head. "For fuck's sake! What the actual fuck? How the fuck does that happen? After everything we have to go through! Hours of bad jokes, poor leadership, and planning for us to almost make it, and then… BOOM! A fucking whale."
Majraa rode all the way over to the island. The contestants hopped off of the whale, and Chris smiled. "And Majraa places third! Wow! And I was worried for nothing. These kids always deliver!"
Aljibal rolled onto the island. Rosa face planted into the sand. "Sweet land." Rosa sighed and faced her team. "I apologize for tonight's loss. I will always deliver so long as the challenge isn't water based. Someone else should take over for those challenges. Probably Harry or Selena."
Mason gasped. "But I've never gotten a chance to lead."
Cole cleared his throat. "Aye put ye socks up ye nose! Nobody cares about ye!"
"And why should me listen to ye?"
"Because I'm the cap'n of de ship!"
Selena clapped her hands. "Enough! Clearly the lot of ye don't know what you're doing. Seems to me like ye care more for staying on theme than actually participating! I will take charge of this terribly put together guild! I believe it's necessary."
Rosa shrugged. "Fine then, just as long as we don't come in last or third next time."
"Good deal." Selena shook hands with Rosa. "I was the reason Sahra was usually on top in challenges."
"They were on top today without you."
"Not without cracks." Selena winked.
They waited a couple moments for Chef to drive Sahra and Kaniun to the landing point of Aljibal and Majraa. Chris spoke up when they arrived. "Kaniun, you placed second. That means I have nothing else for you."
Chef whispered in Chris' ear, then drove off. "Oh yeah." Chris scratched his chin. "Today is Chef's birthday." Chris put on a party hat and blew into a noise maker. "With that being said, he's hosting a sale! It will last from now, until your next challenge!"
"How much will be off?" Luna asked.
"That decision is up to Chef!" Chris nodded. "Take that with what you will. Now, Aljibal, what can I say? You put in a good effort, but it wasn't good enough! You will be meeting me tonight at the Harq Muzayaf Bonfire Elimination Ceremony. You will also be looted by Sahra later today. Majraa, you also made a good effort. You have avoided immediate elimination, but perhaps one of you will be joining Laurie in exile. Who will pay the Loser Tax, Sahra?"
Sahra huddled.
Kairo nodded. "Any ideas?"
Jianne nodded. "Either the brunette or the girl in the tattered dress. Both of them were brave enough to dive down despite being surrounded by sharks."
James scratched his chin. "I like that idea. We should do the wild girl, Katniss. She's already had to pay up once, so this time, she'll probably be kicked out, unless she really collected that much somehow."
Sahra broke.
Kairo cleared his throat. "We nominate Katniss to the Loser Tax!"
"Katniss! The Loser Tax today is 14 coins! Got enough?" Chris veered.
Katniss looked back at her guild and shook her head. She handed her 2 coins to Chris and stood next to him. "You will be joining the desert tomorrow morning when your time starts. Sahra, you already have the map to Aljibal. Aljibal, you will be joining me tonight. I have nothing else for the rest of you. Goodnight."
The guilds shuffled back to their campsites. One stray Sahra decided to join up with Alijbal sooner to learn about the best way to hike up the mountains into their campsite.
Aljibal Alcove
Contestants: Christopher, Cole, Harry, Kairo, Mason, Rosa, Selena
Confessional: Kairo: The Sahra Guild
"Last time, Hansel explained to me the state of this guild. It sounded abysmal! Perhaps dancing challenge was a lucky stroke for them. They have not placed well anywhere else! No worries. I shall be the savior that they need. I won't help them in the challenges, per se, but I will allow them to not lose so humiliatingly. For one, I've looked at their map to the campsite. They usually take the quickest route; however, there is a better route for them to take that won't exhaust as much energy. Helping them with little things will help them not suffer as much, through the competition, but also their life here in the wilderness. That's the main thing that's important to me."
End Confessional
Harry laid some of their coal into the firepit and struck their fire alive with flint and steel. Cole continued to fix the shelters with their duct tape. Rosa came back with some food for their dinner and their compass in another hand. Mason made the rice and the beans.
Kairo stood back. They used every single one of their amenities to their capacity, but there were still many things wrong with the campsite.
He approached Cole first. "You can't keep taping your shelters together."
Cole gasped. "Then what do you propose we do, outsider?"
"Hey," Selena warmed her hands up by the fire, "he may be an outsider, but this man pulls Sahra together. Considering their record in challenges, I say you better listen."
Kairo cocked his brow. "Survival does go a long way. What you should be doing is finding some twine, either at Da Shoppe or somewhere out here in nature if you think you've seen some. Tie your structures with constrictor knots, and lay some animal skins within those loops. It will keep you warm, and it won't collapse overnight."
Harry crossed his arms. "Has anyone here ever skinned an animal?"
No one raised their hands.
Kairo sighed. "We have a bit of work on our hands. Mason, Harry, follow me." He picked up the knife and walked out of the camp area, but not in a way where it looked like he was going to leave. Harry followed with a couple of questions springing into his mind. Mason stood up, pointed at Kairo with his thumb and a confused expression, and then gestured 'crazy' with his hands.
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"I'm certain that the purpose of looting is not to help another tribe, but I can't say I'm complaining. Dude is actively trying to help us. I wonder if he's trying to appeal to some sort of alliance? Either that or he has a crush on Selena. Hard to tell."
End Confessional
The three men returned
with their animal skins, enough to cover three structures.
"Nice!" Selena nodded.
Mason and Cole put up the shelters in the way Kairo instructed them to, making three instead of seven. According to Kairo, there would be more use out of them.
Kairo laid down the meat. "Now, this is a lot of meat, so we don't want it to go bad. Since you're near the icecaps, you can hike North to help you freeze-dry your meats. Make sure you wrap them up in this cloth afterward, the sooner the better. The freeze dried meat will help vary your meals."
Rosa took the meats. "Where did you get the cloths from?"
"I brought them in with me. They were scraps of my shirt I was wearing under my sweater, cleaned of course. I only wore the shirt into the competition for the sake of more free materials. It's valuable in games like these."
Confessional: Selena: The Aljibal Guild
"Now that is the type of attitude I like seeing, and that I have oh so missed, in a competition for a million dollars. If you don't have a plan, you plan to fail. Similar to this guild, for example."
End Confessional
Kairo adjusted his headband. "We also cleaned the bones." He dropped the bones down. "Selena, you remember how to sculpt and use the bones?"
"Aye aye!" She winked.
"Well then, I think that's everything."
"Wait," Selena stood up, "could you show me how to do this one more time before you go?"
"I… uh, sure?" Kairo lead her over to a private area.
Rosa rolled her eyes. "I suppose that's one benefit to looting. I never told you this, but last time Kaniun tried to get me to agree to an inter-team alliance."
"So you didn't agree." Harry determined.
"I don't know what benefits can arise when that guild is literally the smallest one, and does not do well in challenges usually."
Cole tapped a finger on his lip. "I wouldn't sell them too short. It's almost their turn on rotation again, and they haven't lost a member since the challenge they gained Allen."
"Regardless, I don't want a whole guild to lead us on, and then step on us when the time comes. In order for an inter-team alliance to work in this season, we'll have to place both first and second."
"Not necessarily… we can help shape them up when it comes to Loser Tax, communicating who would have more coins over the other. They can distribute their coins amongst each other. Their placement of third is their placement of third, after all. Their loss is on them, but it's a way to dump the other two guilds that have been doing well."
"Well, Majraa just lost that Katniss girl, so things will probably change over there." Rosa waved it off. "I just don't like the idea of having to babysit a whole other guild when we're on the verge of succeeding. I don't know about you, but I actually think Selena is a worthy member to have here."
Cole nodded. "I think so too."
Confessional: Mason: The Aljibal Guild
"Okay, Rosa and Cole both like Selena, and I think I can smell that Harry likes her around too, so maybe I shouldn't try to convince the others to vote for her, but, hmm…"
End Confessional
Confessional: Cole: The Aljibal Guild
"Ah the Nova Effect. Something seemingly bad happens, but it turns out, a survivalist that happens to be allies with the person that made her way to your guild ends up giving the guild survival tips. Not so bad. Especially after we cut some dead weight off of this guild."
End Confessional
Selena crafted some fish hooks, harpoons, and save a couple other pieces for broth. The sun was setting beyond the horizon. They peered at the whole island from the cliff they were seated near, sharpening their tools.
Kairo sighed. "I see you have already learned these skills."
"Maybe I just needed one more lesson from a master~" Selena chuckled. "Thanks for helping my new guild. I really appreciate it, but why? No one really asked."
"Let me tell you a couple of things. Survival is my life, so it's easy for me, but not so much for others who are accustomed to the comfort of their homes and society. It might not seem comforting sometimes, but it truly, truly is. There is no reason to wish another guild a less than worthy survival when I'm in a guild with strong players in all different categories. Even so, it wouldn't be a fair competition to compete when someone is under malnourishment. That is punching down in my book. Ideally, I could visit Majraa and Kaniun as well, but I want it to be under the terms of Sahra and if there is any evidence that they truly need it."
"Wow, that's… actually really hot. Since this is probably the last time I'll get to talk to you, even though I haven't truly made up my mind, I'll just say it. I'm forming a bit of a crush for you."
Kairo sighed. "I see… A couple of the other Sahra's have been teasing this, but I don't want a relationship. I personally don't think I fare well in them."
Selena shrugged. "To each their own. I just wanted to get it off my chest. But I want to make one matter clear. I am Sahra loyal, but now I'm Aljibal too. This is my new gang. I will fight to try to win, but I won't try to do anything to screw the rest of you over, say Loser Tax or such. I do what I want at the Duels though, so no promises there."
"I have one question, though. What is it like out there in the desert?"
"Windy!" Selena scoffed. "Really fucking windy. Like one day there will be coins laying out in the open. Another day, the whole desert is buried. Your hair gets ruined. Your boots get scratched." Selena gestured at her thigh high black leather heels.
"Where do you sleep in that kind of condition?"
"Actually, there's a whole shelter made up of rocks. It's pretty clever, but also amatuerish? But it works! All the exiles sort of sleep in there together. I guess it would be a problem if two sworn enemies were out there. But I didn't sleep anyways."
Kairo stood up. "Well, I wish you could tell me how elimination ceremonies go, but I'm afraid I can't stay here for too long."
"Honestly, at this rate, we might as well walk you to the ceremony. You've been here all afternoon!"
"I suppose I shall take my leave then. I don't want to hinder your game."
Selena and Kairo stepped back into the campsite with their tools and items that they had made for the camp. They placed them in the appropriate places, and Kairo picked up the duct tape. "You all will likely not need this anymore. It is useful for survival; however, it needs to be done properly. What you have been doing with this is not proper. No shortcuts to survival. If your shelters break down, you should know what to do."
"Thank you for the help, Kairo." Harry offered a hand for Kairo to shake.
"It's a pleasure." Kairo accepted and made his way out of the campsite.
Mason sighed. "That duct tape was my favorite tool. Made life so interesting."
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"Now that that man's finally out of here, I can actually get started on getting to know my new guild member! She made quite an impression during the Duels, and is making even more of an impression with how quickly she came back, and how much she's starting to take charge."
End Confessional
Harry shuffled and bridged his cards. Selena perked up at the sound. "You all bought the cards?"
"I brought them in." He dealt the cards to the two of them. "Cole and I went out to look for rocks that we use as gambling. You can use these. We collected extra for another member. It prepares us for the Duels, but in a little risk sort of way. We're a team. We don't need to encourage our members to leave, after all."
Selena nodded. "As much as booting someone off the team through gambling would be badass, I hear you."
"Our little showdown would be tempting." Harry cocked his head to the side. "Unfortunately, I'm not here to boot you off. You've made an impression on me at the Duels. At first I was intimidated, but seeing you at the challenge has made my mind clear on what I want to do."
"I see." Selena narrowed her eyes and smiled. "I hella respect any gambler that I see. I could tell based on how you were playing. Methodical, but still fun."
Harry picked the cards off of the ground and shuffled some more. "I want to play a game with you. One of my faves: Blackjack."
"I know there's a lot of numerology with it, but I don't know what it is."
"I can help you. Let's see how good your decision making skills are though. Here's a refresher of what you can do."
Game: Blackjack
Rules: The goal of the game is to create a hand higher than the dealer's hand without going over 21, or busting. The King, Queen, and Jack (or face cards) equal to 10. The Ace is either 1 or 11, depending on whether or not counting the Ace as 11 would cause a bust.
The players begin the game with placing down a bet for how confident they are to win the next hand.
The dealer begins with dealing two cards. For themselves, they deal one face down and one face up. The players cards will be dealt face up.
The player will always go first, and they have an option to hit (take more cards), stand (end their turn), double down, or splitting. Hitting and standing are quite simple concepts as it means getting more cards or no longer receiving cards. Doubling down means to double the bet that they player originally played. Then, the dealer will place their next card sideways to signify that they can no longer receive any more cards. Splitting in a special option that becomes available if a player gets dealt two cards of equal value. The player doubles the bet (or triple or quadruple if the same value card continues to be played) and each card will be treated as a separate hand that a player can impose each of the other three actions upon. Aces are special and will always split, and only be dealt one card, placed sideways.
Once the players go, the dealer goes, but has more limited options. The dealer must hit until the cards total to 17 or higher. Once this is achieved for the dealer, the dealer must stay at that number. However, if both the dealer and the player bust, the player loses because the player always goes first.
There is only one round of decisions before the dealer flips over his initial card, determining the round. Once the round is decided, the payouts begin. If the player wins, they get paid from the dealer an equal amount that they had bet. If the player loses, they lose what they had bet. If there is a draw, or push, then no one pays out, and the next round begins.
Special Rules: There is one way to automatically win at Blackjack, and that is through getting dealt a Blackjack, or natural. A Blackjack is an Ace and a value-10 card. The win is only automatic if the dealer doesn't also get drawn a Blackjack. The player gets paid their whole bet and half their bet, equaling 150% of their bet.
If the dealer has an Ace-up, the players may buy insurance. They place half of their bet to an insurance line. If the dealer has a Blackjack, the player loses the bet, but the dealer will play half of that, so the player ends up breaking even.
Surrendering is not often offered at casinos, but Harry will offer it to Selena. Surrending means that the player will choose to surrender their hand, but only lose half of their bet. The players will move on to the next round.
Dealer: Harry [450R]
Player: Selena [1000R]
"So… you're okay with being the dealer? Even though your rules are so much more limited."
Harry nodded. "I'm only following rules that casinos should be following. That's the only way you can win as a player."
"So the House doesn't always win."
"Not unless the player knows what it's doing."
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"Much like this game of Total Drama. There is one person that gets to walk away with a million dollars."
End Confessional
Selena put down two rocks. Harry dealt the cards out. Selena had a Two of Diamonds. Harry's first card face-down. Selena had a Queen of Diamonds. Harry had a Jack of Spades. Harry placed the deck of cards down next to him just so he doesn't accidentally fiddle with the deck.
"Ah," Selena let out a nervous laugh, "the infamous Blackjack."
Harry smirked. "Your move. Just know that I know what move to make if I were you."
"I'm curious, but I think I'll double down."
"Smart move."
"I don't like that I'm limited, but there are a lot of ten value cards in the deck." Selena nodded. "Something high, let's go!" She placed two more rocks forward.
Harry flipped over the Three of Diamonds. "That hurts, but that would be the move I would make." Harry flipped over his card. Jack of Clubs. He took Selena's rocks.
Selena rubbed her hands together. "Okay, okay. Next round!" She put three rocks in. Harry placed the played cards in a discard pile.
Five of Heart for Selena. A face-down card for Harry. Five of Clubs for Selena. An Ace of Clubs for Harry.
"So I should split it."
"You can. You don't have you."
"Why wouldn't I? It's just an opportunity to get a Blackjack." Selena placed three more rocks down and split her cards. "Hit." Selena put her hand on the table. Jack of Diamonds. Selena passed over her rocks. On the other five, Harry revealed a Four of Clubs. "Hit." Six of Hearts. Selena's total was at 15. "Hit." King of Spades. Selena passed of rocks over once again.
"Wasn't bad on your part." Harry nodded. "You hit where you needed to. I would never recommend splitting two fives though." Harry flipped his card over. Seven of Diamonds. "That would've been tricky to beat. Even if you doubled down, it wouldn't have beat me."
Selena waved it off. "No harm no foul. I still lost the same amount of rocks."
Harry shrugged. "I have to commend you though. If you were counting, you just got a lot of information with what's left."
"Isn't that illegal?"
"Only if you refuse to leave the casino when they start refusing service." Harry winked. "I've made a pretty penny off of Blackjack alone."
Selena placed down four rocks.
Harry dealt the cards. King of Hearts for Selena. Face-down. Nine of Clubs for Selena. Ace of Spades for Harry.
"Hit."
"Okay," Harry didn't follow through, "I'm going to stop you there. You have a 19. That's rare itself."
"I could get a Blackjack."
"You need an Ace or Two. Both cards have been played, and, would you look at that, there's one in front of me lessening your chances. You will burst."
"Your Ace makes it all the more likely for you to have a Blackjack, especially since there are more 10-value cards than any other card in the deck."
"I'm allowing you to change your mind."
"I won't."
Harry shrugged and flipped over a Four of Spades. "Burst." Harry flipped over an Eight of Spades.
"We had the same value."
"But I still get to take your rocks." Selena handed Harry the rocks.
"One more." Selena placed down five rocks.
"You got it." Harry dealt out the cards. A Joker. Harry tossed it to the side. Eight of Diamonds. Face down for Harry. Ten of Clubs. King of Diamonds for Harry.
Selena narrowed her eyes. "I've got a good feeling. Hit."
Harry sighed, but realized there was no getting through. Nine of Spades. "Game over." Harry flipped over a Nine of Diamonds for himself. He took Selena's rocks.
"You have so many now."
"That's what the game does." Harry nodded. "It's also luck and logic, but that's something that takes time to develop."
Rock Totals:
[450R] Harry → 925R
[1000R] Selena → 525R
"I like your strategy talk during that." Selena nodded. "I want an alliance with you if it's not too soon."
"I was just about to ask you the same thing. I admire your persistence." Harry smiled. He held his hand out. "Alliance mate it is."
"If you're in this with me, you gotta be 100% committed," Selena shook his hand. "Because if you aren't, I won't hesitate to run you over."
Confessional: Selena: The Aljibal Guild
"Whew! It's a lot of work integrating yourself in a new guild. I don't know how good an impression I made on the others during the challenge, but whatever! I definitely made a good impression on Harry, and one good impression is really all you need. This will be my gang now. All I need is to cut whoever I don't want here. It should be obvious."
End Confessional
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"I'm quite happy I was able to get that alliance. She's quite predictable which is good. It's the exact kind of person any casino is looking for. Don't get me wrong, I will take her far, I will try not to backstab her, but if she makes some error on her part, she pays. I'm keeping my money close to my chest."
End Confessional
"There's a sale at Da Shoppe today!" Harry remembered. "We can make our chances of who we're booting even better!"
Selena smiled. "Oh, gladly! Let's go before anyone notices we're gone."
Shift Camera Focus
Cole stirred the pot of their stew some more. He glanced around at the camp site. Still no sign of many competitors. Rosa was at the ice caps. Harry and Selena were up there with her: that was the decision the guild came up with. They were playing some cards together gambling. Cole shook his head.
Too easy.
Mason was asleep in one of the men's hut after assembling two. He was all tuckered out of rowing all morning, and now he had to build new shelters because some survival man said so?
Kairo wouldn't last a day in this guild.
"Mason." Cole called out.
Mason appeared out of the shelter. "Dinner's ready?"
"No, lunch is not ready yet, but I have come up with an idea." Cole smirked. "Something interesting."
"As long as it's more interesting than shelters, I'm here for it."
"It would be much more interesting around here if Selena didn't have an ally. She would have to work hard to try and appease the rest of us."
"Sure would, and we would not let her have it. We'll show those Sahra stinkers who's boss!"
"Uh- if we're the ones proving Sahra isn't the boss, then why are you listening to one to the letter with building those shelters."
Mason's eyes widened. "Yeah, the girls, the Sahra girl, can build their own!"
Cole snickered. "I think we've come to an agreement with who to out, but we'll need more on board."
"I will take care of it." Mason took a look at the sky. "This way should be North then." He hiked forward.
Cole shook his head, understanding that Mason knew some navigation all along.
Shift Camera Focus
Rosa stared out at the clouds as they moved in the sky. She could see almost the entire island from that view. The Sahra members celebrated their victory. Kairo had just returned back to the campsite. Kaniun looked like little ants, so deep down into the expansive canyons, yet she was high up. Majraa was secluded in the forest, but sometimes, one would come out to the river that trailed from the very icecaps she was on.
Nature was beautiful from where she was standing, and she knew it was beautiful all the way into the canyons. The water was beautiful as well, but intense. She shuddered back to those moments earlier today. It was ugly, but Rosa was grateful that those moments were over, and that she could enjoy her moments of peace and contemplation.
But some panting noises broke her peace. "Rosa!" The voice she hated called out. "Rosa!"
She closed her eyes. "Island gods, what have I done to deserve this?"
"Rosa!" Mason came up to her. "We need to talk alone."
"Why are you saying alone like that?"
Mason looked around. "Where are Harry and Selena?"
"I haven't seen anyone but your unfortunate face since coming up here."
Mason laughed. "That was a good one!"
"Look Mason, I know you're not an understanding kind of person, but I need some alone time right now. Not one of your jokes."
"But the ceremony is coming up, and we have to be ready for it." Mason whispered the name of who they were voting for.
"Why would I vote for them? It just doesn't make any sense considering all that they actually have kindness in them." Rosa cut herself off from saying what she was thinking.
"Because we're in an alliance."
"Fuck this alliance. I haven't wanted to be a part of it from the start."
"You know, Rosa, mathematically speaking, I don't need you after this vote. Cole and I are pals at this point, and Christopher and I are best buds according to him. It'll be three against two. Buuuut! I could switch my vote and get rid of you right now. Selena is definitely voting for you to get that leader position. She's probably roped Harry in on it too, since we assumed they were up here with you. They're plotting." Mason shrugged. "But, you know, you could vote with us and be safe. It's up to you.
"I-I'll vote with you." Rosa sighed. "Just let me pick the next one."
Mason shrugged. "Good enough for me."
Confessional: Rosa: The Aljibal Guild
Currently, Rosa is in the boothe, pulling and scratching her scalp. "Why is this game so hard? I thought it was just going to be win the challenges, and we'll be fine. It totally would've happened because this team has me! I'm a physical player, that's my value to the team. It sucks that there are so many members of this team that aren't physical: Harry, Christopher, and Mason. They have value in other ways though, like Harry is really smart, and I know Mason is too if he's able to convince to vote with him time and time again. Christopher… isn't really good at much anything else. I'm not saying that he's not a good friend or person, but maybe he doesn't have much value in a guild like this one. I'm going to vote for who Mason told me to anyways… at least I can thick it out until the merge. That way Mason could get himself out in some kind of sudden death challenge."
End Confessional
Confessional: Mason: The Aljibal Guild
"Now that was some grade A intimidation. I'm pretty proud of myself there. Seems like Rosa and I grew closer."
End Confessional
Back at the campsite, Harry had pulled Christopher over. "Hey, Chris."
He gasped. "You're calling me? By the host's name?" He giggled.
Harry shook his head. "Yeah, sure I called you Chris. I need something from you."
Christopher nodded. "The million dollars?"
"Well, yes, but I actually need you to vote for a certain person tonight."
"Um, uh, I don't want to vote someone off strategically. It just doesn't seem fair."
"Just hear me out." Harry whispered his target's name in Christopher's ear.
"Oh, I guess I could do that."
"Oh, really?"
Christopher nodded.
"Thanks, bro. I owe you one."
Location: Da Shoppe
Contestants: Harry, Selena
Chef sat outside his venue with his party hat still on and birthday banners and balloons scattred throughout the stand. He blew into his noisemaker once Harry and Selena had arrived. "First customers of the day! What can I get for ya?"
Selena leaned against the counter. "What's the special?"
"Er'thing is 50% off."
Selena spilled her coin pouch on the counter. "How many coins do you have?"
Harry pulled out his coins. "Sixteen."
"Okay, cool. I only have fourteen because, you know, that's how much I had to collect." Selena looked at the Game Advantages options. "The steal a vote looks affordable without having to subject us to too hard a loss on coins for the Duels, and it'll be useful, unlike the [CENSORED] or the Pandora's Vote."
Harry nodded. "I concur. Six coins each? Chef?" Harry and Selena slid their coins forward.
Chef passed them the belt, signifying the steal a vote item. "Pleasure doin' business. I would offer some cake, but Chris said it'd be too much help."
"That's fine. We're running late to the ceremony." Harry walked towards the ceremony.
"Thanks Chef." Selena called out. "We need to play this tonight."
"Woah there. We have three votes?"
"That's enough for a tie. I want this person G-O-N-E."
"Both you and I could beat our vote in a tie."
"And what if it's someone else?"
Harry thought for a moment. "If we use it, we'll need to use it on a very specific person."
Selena nudged him as they entered the general area of the bonfire pit. "There ya go!"
Harq Muzayak Bonfire Elimination Ceremony
Contestants: Christopher, Cole, Harry, Mason, Rosa, Selena
"Aljibal, Aljibal, Aljibal. How sucky can your losses get? You were so close, but got beat by a whale!"
Mason shook his head. "Some stroke of bad luck that we have."
Rosa cut Mason off. "I don't think it's bad luck. It's more about our skills that we bring to the table. See, there's a balance when it comes to a team. Either we have enough similar personalities and goals to where we work together cohesively, or we should contrast enough to where we work together where everyone's strengths are at their best use. On this guild, it's not like that. We have a lot of different strengths, but for some, it's not really suited for the game."
"Your game." Mason added.
"My game is trying to win as many challenges as I can so that elimination is not an option. If you're saying that our games are opposite, then it should be in my best interest to eliminate you, as that might mean that you are actively throwing challenges."
"Let's not jump to conclusions here. See, Chris, there is luck involved. We did not get to pick our teams. It was based on when we crossed that finish line way at the start. Sahra was lucky to have each other. Majraa was lucky to have each other as well. We are not lucky like them, but an uphill battle makes for more fame, no?"
"Winning." Selena rolled her eyes. "Winning makes you the most famous of the cast. But if fame is what you're looking for, trying stand up comedy. I'd like your face covered in tomatoes."
Mason laughed off that comment. "I bring the jokes and entertainment to the table, even if it's at my expense."
"But no one asks for it." Christopher shook his head. "Your type of humor is mean. You could be funny like Cole, but instead you insult the people you're around. That's not what friendship is for."
Everyone sat in stunned silence at Christopher's intellectual comment.
Chris shook his head. "Okaay. Moving on, Selena, how's your new guild?"
"A work in progress." Selena nodded. "There was a leader when I joined. That leader will step down, and I will take charge."
"That's some responsibility. Does your guild encourage it?"
"I encourage it. Both me and the former leader feel responsibility for this loss." Selena shrugged. "It's fine though. There are a few here that aren't worth anything to the guild. I plan on getting rid of those weak spots."
"So that's what tonight's vote is about?" Chris asked. "Worth?"
"Every vote needs to be cast that way." Selena nodded. "That is how I plan to cast my vote for the rest of the season." She looked around at her guild members. "If you plan to stay, show you have some worthiness to the guild."
"Harry, you've been quiet. Time to tease you. Do you agree with everything Selena says, down to the way that she plays?"
"I agree with what she's saying right now. As for the way she goes about playing the game, it is quite the opposite approach to the one that I have, but so long as our motives align, that is all that is needed to form a good team, as Rosa mentioned earlier."
Chris nodded. "And it is time to vote! Head into the voting booth, say a couple of words, and let's get this party going!"
Christopher was first to the voting booth.
Confessional: Christopher: The Aljibal Guild
"I was told to vote for you. I'm hesitant, but after the elimination talk, I'm more motivated." Christopher wrote down a name. "Of course I trust them," he held up the name, "they're my best friend."
End Confessional
Cole was next.
Confessional: Cole: The Aljibal Guild
"Seeing you two support each other is cute, but maybe it won't last as long in this guild. Besides, there is no use for you, when there is another backup."
End Confessional
Harry voted next.
Confessional: Harry: The Aljibal Guild
"I have no regrets or qualms. You are not made for this show."
End Confessional
Confessional: Mason: The Aljibal Guild
"Due to the few lies I've scattered about camp, this vote should easily go in my favor."
End Confessional
Afterwards, Rosa.
Confessional: Rosa: The Aljibal Guild
She held the pen in her hand for a while. "I'm not making a mistake." She held up the name. "I'm an honest person."
End Confessional
Selena was last to the voting booth.
Confessional: Selena: The Aljibal Guild
"I'm going to be on the votes. I can feel it, but I'm no pussy. I'll get out of this alive."
End Confessional
Chris had returned. "The votes have been tallied. The person with the most amount of votes must go on the Ride of Shame to never re-enter the competition. Is there anyone who would like to play a game advantage?"
Cole, expecting this, stood. "I would not like to play the Legacy Box."
Selena stood. The rest of the guild gasped, except for Harry. "I would like to play my game advantage." She handed Chris the belt.
He inspected it. "This is the Steal a Vote advantage from Da Shoppe! Who's vote are we taking and replacing?"
Selena nodded. "Mason's."
"My vote!" Mason exclaimed. "No! That's my personal fuck you note!"
Chris reached into the jar for Mason's vote. He threw it into the fire. Selena returned with a different vote from the voting booth. Chris nodded. "I will go tally the votes."
Once Chris left the area, Selena's eyebrow rose. "Seriously? It's just one vote."
Cole shrugged. "It's probably to make sure the count is accurate. Wouldn't want to slip up on national television?"
Rosa was focused on something else entirely. "What the fuck was that? You had a game advantage this whole time?"
"Nope! I just bought it before the ceremony."
"It's not a good reputation that you're building with us."
"I said what I said, Rosa. I will eliminate you if I view you as non-valuable to us."
Christopher crossed his arms. "I'm with Rosa. I was asked nicely for my vote, but how could you go and steal someone else's? It's like that one guy… King Candy! Yeah, it's like King Candy." Christopher nodded, happy with his analogy.
Confessional: Cole: The Aljibal Guild
He rubbed his hands together. "The drama is coming forth." He smiled. "And it's great to see how it'll affect the game."
End Confessional
Chris came back with modified coin pouches. "The votes have been retallied. Contestants, if you receive a coin pouch, you are safe. Cole… and…
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They both headed up for their coin pouch.
Harry, Mason, Selena, and Rosa remained.
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Mason's eyes widened. "Wait a minute…"
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Harry nodded and received his coins.
Mason stood up. "A blindside! Can't say I was expecting this."
Selena rolled her eyes. "You should've expected this because I told you to shut up the whole challenge, and you never listened!"
"Okay… so I got eliminated because I didn't get to talk the whole time? I'm missing the point, but it's alright. A blindside, I did expect as you should expect the unexpected. I'm impressed and a bit jealous that it wasn't me on the other side of the plan. Oh well." Mason tossed Cole his coin pouch. "Don't spend it all in one place!"
Mason stepped over to the plate, but Chef's ATV wasn't there.
"Oh yeah!" Chris mentioned. "Chef's on a birthday break, so you will be biked by and intern."
The intern rang the bell as he pulled up in a two seater bike.
Mason shrugged. "This is my life in a nutshell! Ciao Qatilat!"
Chris nodded. "And that sums up this week's episode. Tune back into to see how Katniss and Laurie fare in the desert! How will Majraa stand a chance without the whale-calling Katniss? Will Selena gain the trust of her guild? Will Brainstorm come up with more ideas on how to avenge Kairo? And what will become of Winter and Tony's battle? Here! On Total!
Drama!
Qatilat!"
*Final Confessional: Mason
"That was a short run, but sometimes the shorter runs can make the best underdogs. I had fun messing with Rosa specifically. I wish I could've messed with Selena a bit more, but she had an iron head, so maybe that would be harder. Huh. I'm gonna miss Cole and Christopher though. I think we had a real strong bond going. We were the pirate boys. I hope they keep that up without me. Well, this has been fun, but that's about enough of me. Peace!'
End Confessional*
Mason places 27th. He wills his coins to Cole.
[9] Christopher → [10]
[3] Cole → [14]
[16] Harry → [19]
[11] Rosa → [12]
[8] Selena → [9]
Sarim Desert
Contestants: Katniss (on standby), Laurie
Laurie had her prey next to her. All she had to do was light the fire. It was getting chillier out in the desert. The waves had not yet silenced since her arrival. She held the flint in her hands. Basic amenities were provided for exiled contestants. Many concerned families would sue if these precautions were not in effect.
Using the steel of one of the found coins, she tried striking. Sparks flew, but it was difficult for her kindling to ignite. She kept trying and trying. There was nothing better to do with her time after all.
Except collect coins. Laurie shook her head. She remembered Kairo's words at the Sahra Sanctuary. Survival is the backbone to this competition. Without it, you will lose.
Laurie's brow furrowed in remembrance. She will not lose. She could not.
It was not an option.
With another strike, the fire had ignited.
Even though the day had come where she barely had enough time collecting coins, the investment of survival will be worth it in the long run.
She'd make sure of that one.
26/30 Remaining. 2 Deserted.
The Votes:
Christopher voted for… Mason
Cole voted for… Harry
Harry voted for… Mason
Mason voted for… Harry (Stolen: Mason)
Rosa voted for… Harry
Selena voted for … Mason
Camp Items:
The Sahra Guild: Dried Meat, A Bag of Rice, Salt and Pepper, 20 Sticks, 1 Pot, Tarp, 3 Buckets, First Aid Kit, The Sponge, A Bag of Beans, Duct Tape
The Majraa Guild: Rice, Bow and Arrows, Flint and Steel, Rope, 2 Pots, Large Knife
The Kaniun Guild: Self-Purifying Water Bottles, Flint and Steel, Dried Meat, Bear Traps, Pillows and Blankets, A Pot
The Aljibal Guild: Flint and Steel, Large Knife, A Bag of Rice, A Compass, 3 Buckets, A Bag of Beans
*items contestants are not allowed to loot
AN: And that's a wrap on Episode Five! I hoped you all enjoyed it. It was quite a challenge to write.
Now, Mason.
First of all, thank you so much to Otterplay for sending him in! I really hope that you enjoyed his time on this island and that I was able to do Mason justice. I'm not sure if I did because his sense of humor is a bit difficult for me, but I gave it my all. I will say, he never really went that far unless the chaotic energy he brought was controlling his guild. He had it under good control for a long time, but then Selena had to come by to storm on his party. It's sad to let a character like this one go, but it is necessary.
Having studied his actions this season, I give Mason the status of: Villain.
Why? He was a wonderful early game villain, and early game villains don't have too much time to shine, but I'll hand out some pointers. He claims that his pointed jokes are in all good fun, but it was mainly social diversion to his strategic mind. We saw him understanding navigating while leading his team on during the challenge and being strategic, enlisting Rosa in his alliance. He needed someone who would want to kick him out of the game on his side. Throughout that alliance, he voted alongside her, trying to prove that they had similar ideas. He just manipulated her in the voting on the same side as him. It was not the correct decision for her to make, nor was it the person she wanted eliminated. Everything he ever did on the team was for self-interest, except their little share circle way back. The blatant manipulation is really what sells it for me though.
Favorite Moment? The Hold 'Em game. Easily. The Scottish accent/pirate accent. I giggled to myself writing that, even if you all didn't find it funny. That moment will probably stay on my chest for a bit.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Mason. He's quite the one-way-or-the-other kind of guy. How do you think Aljibal will fare now that he's eliminated? And how will Majraa fare without Katniss? Who will make it out first? Laurie or Katniss?
EN: Tbh, I wasn't ever that big a fan of Mason as a character concept, but I didn't mind him as much when I was reading him in the actual fic. I definitely agree with the Villain status at the very least. I think this is probably a small blessing for Aljibal because morale is very likely to get better. I'm not so sure how Majraa will fare without Katniss, but Majraa is kind of really big so I think with enough teamwork making the dream work they can hack it. I think Katniss will probably make it out before Laurie does, but I think Laurie will grab more coins overall.
AN2: Feel free to join our discord server. Link on Profile.
AN3: And, as always, thanks for reading!
