seasonsrpg | closed 🚗 everybody loves mushrooms

[He's not sure if he'd like a game like A▊▊▊▊▊ Cr▊ss▊▊▊. He'd definitely give it a try, see how he likes it, and if anything else he'll just give it to Yoimiya instead if he doesn't. He's not picky, he'll at least try anything once. But if Ayaka likes it, it's probably got some merit, right?

Either way, he'll put that info in his back pocket for now, flipping through the tracks without anyone's permission to do so now that people have chosen their characters. This is supposed to be a warm up, so he eventually chooses the easiest track for the beginners, setting it to 100cc (can't baby Cloud and Ayaka too much, not when 200cc is going to be in the cards later) and gets ready.]

Well, you're in luck, since this should be pretty simple to figure the controls out on. I think this is called M▊▊▊▊ K▊▊▊ Stadium, and it's not too difficult. And...no shots on this one, is that okay Yoimiya? It wouldn't be fair to make you all drink so much right away.

[Tartaglia grins back at all three competitors. Just because this is a baby track doesn't mean he's going to go lightly on them.]

[ She hums to herself in amusement that Tartaglia is already starting off with 100cc for the newbies. It's not 150cc or 200cc but she has a sneaking suspicion the thrill-seeking Harbinger will ramp it up to the hardest difficulty before the night is over. ]

Of course! Since this is just a practice round for Ayaka and Cloud to get used to the controls, it wouldn't be fair for them. Besides, it wouldn't be fun if you got too drunk from the get-go.

[ A smirk curves on the corners of her lips, playing tit for tat right back at her boyfriend. Sorry both of them are so immature LOL. Since it's the first round, she'll go easy on her two friends but Tartaglia? No mercy.

3... 2... 1... Go! The race has begun! Even though this isn't her first time playing, her eyes shimmer with excitement at the bright, colorful graphics. How cool would it be to race in a setting like this, the technology of Ellipsa is surely astounding. Now that they've started, she begins with the explanations. ]

So as we're racing, you'll run into these prism boxes that give you power-up items. They're random but can give you the advantage and turn the tide during the race. There are a lot of different items but for example...

[ Lucky day! In her arsenal, she manages to snag a red shell. ]

Mushrooms give you boosts, you can chuck banana peels that make karts slip if they run over it and there are a variety of items you can throw at the other racers. On me, I happen to have a red shell, there's other colored shells that have different effects. The one I have hones in on the kart in front of me and this is what happens when you toss it...

[ Her maniacal laughter fills the air as she chucks it right at Tartaglia. ]

[ What does no shots mean FDASGDS Ayaka has no idea!! She's really just listening to everyone, now that they're progressing with choosing what's what and who's who. She got the gist of the controls, but executing them is a different challenge altogether.

When their race begins, Ayaka's little kart begins to move, too! She doesn't care so much about being left behind just yet, more concerned about understanding what to press now that it's actually happening! If she's last place? No worries. It's just one round! And it's easy to get back up and start over in the next game. ]

I see. Then it must be advantageous to get these boxes.

[ And as she passes a whole line of them? She misses. FDSAGDS ]

Oh! [ Darn it. She looks pretty disappointed in herself for that. ] Next one, for sure...

[ 3... 2... 1...! Go! Aaand Cloud spins out right at the start. ]

The hell? [ A beat. ] Am I not supposed to hold the button before we start?

[ You literally answered your own question, Cloud. At least this is a good chance to get used to the controls. In fact, he uses this time not to care about being in first or last yet. He accelerates, turns the corner but barely makes it. He notices some of the computer racers? As well as the more seasoned Yoimiya and Tartaglia? Seem to be taking the corners better. ]

How're you guys turning the corners so good? We got a drift button?

[ "Next one, for sure..." ]

Least it looks like they come back fast enough— Woah there's a boost.

[ In which he promptly hits the wall because he doesn't turn fast enough. FDSJKL It's okay. It's okay, Cloud. Night and day difference. It's going to be a night and day difference. ]

[He fights a maniacal chuckle as Cloud spins out, moving ahead quickly in the ranks just as he's done in the past when playing with Yoimiya. The computer isn't that good anyway, and 100cc isn't even a challenge in his eyes. As Yoimiya goes ahead with her explanation, his eyes widen when his gaze flicks over to her screen to see the red shell she'd just gotten- which she subsequently chucks right at him, the only person in front of her.]

No, no-!

[Of course, there's no dodging, and he didn't have any defenses, having gotten a mushroom that doesn't exactly get him out of harm's way. Yoimiya zooms past him, but he's as determined as ever to catch up. Poor Ayaka missing the item boxes though...he remembers when he used to do that too ;;]

Yeah, Cloud, watch my screen for a second.

[Since he's trying to catch up to his rude! Very rude! Girlfriend, he shows off his drifting skills.]

This is the drift button, [he says as he lifts his joycon up for Cloud to see. Better to show than to tell in this case.]

You want to hold your joystick in the opposite direction of the curve, [he says as Yoshi banks another curve, not losing any speed at all as he goes around it and passes one of the computer players.]

You'll get a little boost at the end of it if you do it right. That's how you catch up to little rascals who throw red shells at you...

[ Watch out, we have a blonde gremlin on the road, cackling like a madwoman. Karma might eventually come to bite her in the butt but for the time being, she's howling with laughter, reveling in snatching up the lead from right under Tartaglia's nose. Just try to catch up with her, Harbinger! ~~She must be stopped at all costs.~~

Impressed by her boyfriend's teaching skillls, she listens to Tartaglia explaining drifting with a big ol' smile on her face. No doubt that Cloud will become a drift master if this keeps up. Still, she's keeping her eyes peeled on the competition, unable to get rid of this feeling that Cloud is the dark horse of this competition...

At some point, she comes across Ayaka driving along in her pink car. Hello friend! :D Even in a game, Yoimiya is always ecstatic to see her. The power of the Shirasagi Himegimi is strong, enough to quell the fireworks maniac on the road as she opts to cruise alongside her dear friend. ]

Don't worry, Ayaka. When I first started, I kept missing the power-up boxes as well.

[ In the distance, a few more of the prism boxes spawn. Ganba, Ayaya! ]

Here's your chance! Take your time and focus on grabbing one.

[ There is something oddly endearing about Tartaglia teaching Cloud some things. She came here a little nervous because this is the first time Cloud is meeting her best friend's boyfriend, and she wasn't sure if they would get along. Yoimiya and Tartaglia are wonderful hosts, making her and Cloud both feel welcome tonight. She must thank Yoimiya later on, perhaps if they have some time in private. Or she could just visit another day and they can talk about it.

She supposes that it's fine if she loses this game. Or the next. She's having fun like this, in the midst of her best friend, her beau, and a Fatui Harbinger. ]

I will get it this time! [ Thank you for your words of encouragement, Yoimiya! And Ayaka does manage to get a power up, which causes her to let out a soft little "Yay!" It gives her a lot of confidence that she can get through this race and not end up in last place. ]

I did it, Yoimiya!

[ Isabelle now holds a fire flower.

... how do you use this thing... Ayaka is looking at her controller now and fiddling with the buttons to see what might work. She maaay accidentally throw a fire flower at someone in the process, but she also would not have figured out what she pressed to get it to happen. :' ) ]

Huh?

[ Said dark horse decides to take things slow and not worry about his placing for this race as he watches Childe's portion of the screen. His racer starts drifting! And sure enough, at the end of his demonstration, he gets a little boost along the way. Cloud doesn't realize it (and unless pointed out, he'll remain blissfully unaware), but his eyes appear to light up at the revelation. The idea that he'll actually know what he's doing now! That the rest is just going to fall into place.

And sure enough, it starts becoming easier as he races around the next corner leading to a rampway. Off the rampway is where the glider opens up as well. ]

Now we're talking.

[ He sounds so serious, but the life in his eyes tells a different story entirely. He's having fun. ]

Thanks, Tartaglia. You get a pass next shell or banana I nab.

[ A homie pass. ... but that also means that for this warm-up round, the girls are free game. Speaking of which...he notices the way Ayaka starts mashing her buttons when attempting to throw a fire flower. He's not close enough to her to be in vicinity of the shot yet, as he holds his remaining two bananas behind himself from the last item box he got, having placed one down, ]

Left shoulder button, Ayaka.

[ Watch what happens. 'u' ]

[He is gaining on the lead now, putting all his effort into driving well and making sure he knocks out any CPU drivers so he can be hot on everyone's heels. Tartaglia glances back at Cloud as he begins to do better, smirking at the sight of how much the other man is enjoying himself. But there's no need to bring attention to it now, instead choosing to focus on his own performance. He can't let Yoimiya beat him, let alone Cloud or Ayaka. Time to get serious...

He gets quiet while he does his best to climb the ranks after that red shell, coming up to Ayaka now with her fire flower, boosting with his mushroom on the straightaway.]

Oh ho, seems I'm catching up. Do your worst with that fire flower, heheheh...

[He's counting on her missing completely, since she's new- he's still looking to make sure he doesn't get hit just in case, but that doesn't mean he'll be able to avoid it in time.]

Because if you don't, Yoimiya's next.

[The most devilish grin spreads out on his face, really getting into the idea of making a great comeback after all that talk his girlfriend did earlier.]

[ Yay! Ayaka obtaining her first item in Mario Kart is a cause for celebration. Yoimiya beams at the sight of Isabelle with a fire flower, not even minding if she gets hit since she's so proud of her friend. By the end of this game, she's secretly hoping that Ayaka becomes a fireball-throwing, shell-hurling fiend. That will be the true victory of this game for her... ]

You did it! I knew you had it in you.

[ She hears her boyfriend's taunt and now she absolutely cannot let him catch up to her. From the corner of her eye, she spots the devilish grin curving on his lips, she smirks in response, playfully bumping her shoulder into his to further rile him up. Yoimiya has a couple of guesses as to what's going on in Tartaglia's head but whatever the case might be, she's rooting for Ayaka to light a fire to his ass. ]

Get him Ayaka! Make him eat his words.

[ In the midst of her excitement, Yoimiya is coming up behind Cloud, completely not paying attention to the bananas behind his kart. ]

[ Oh! 'u' Even Cloud is coaching her!! She truly feels the support here. And so, following his instructions, Ayaka presses the button! She's almost sure she wouldn't hit anyone when Isabelle tosses one forward, but the ball bounces and bounces and— ]

I did it!

[ She hit Tartaglia!!! \o/ That's certainly a confidence booster, and it makes her look at Cloud with such a big smile on her face. ]

Did you see, my love? [ She hit the fatooey!!!!!!! Ayaka's ready to go home now. She feel like she just won the race!!!! Oh, but now she sounds so happy. Hopefully she didn't offend Yoimiya or Tartaglia with her outburst... ]

Ah, m- my apologies. I got more excited than I should have.

[ So this is not just a race... It is a race with some underhanded tactics, too! ]

[ If Cloud knew more about this game and how the Fire Flower sticks around for a few times, he'd be telling Ayaka to keep mashing the button to really let the Fatui Harbinger have it. But instead, he can't help but smirk, his voice lifting with an energy he hadn't really felt since he was a young teenager. ]

Nailed him.

[ As for Yoimiya, on the other hand...whom he can't help but notice instinctively as he ~~screen cheats~~ notices her coming up on him from behind...

Well...as the two of them drift around the corner and prepare to enter into the next lap, hope she doesn't mind if he drops a little- ]

🍌

Eat it eat it c'mon-!

[Tartaglia is determined not to let Ayaka have it easy just because this is the first time she's ever played this game, ready to maneuver out of the way once she fires her fire flower at him. Unfortunately, he zags when he should have zigged, the attack hitting him straight on as they round another corner. The Harbinger's jaw drops a little in surprise, the tiniest of whines bubbling up out of him at his own mistake, thinking he should have been able to miss that no problem...drat.]

Beginner's luck! I'll have my revenge before this race is out, Ayaka...

[He begins to try to get himself back on track, now making a point to come after Ayaka now that she's ~~initiated a duel~~ hit him! Though he can't help but notice that Yoimiya seems to have her own obstacles to deal with, and his eye catches how Cloud seems to be setting her up. Chuckling, he can't wait to see the outcome of that, because who's side are you on anyway Yoimiya????]

[ AYAKA DID IT! \o/ The 11th Fatooey Harbringer is no match for the Himegimi's fire flower power!! Although she needs to be paying attention to her side of the screen, Yoimiya can't help but glance over to watch the scene unfold, her heart swelling with pride for Ayaka's victory. Oh yeah, definitely not offended in the slightest. She's howling with laughter, having the time of her life watching Tartaglia getting roasted by the fire flower. ]

Don't be sorry, that was an incredible showing and totally NOT beginner's luck. [ If she wasn't already on Ayaka's side, she definitely is now. ] You did great!

[ Unfortunately for Yoimiya, she is about to learn the hard way that karma is gonna bite her in the butt.

By the time she focuses back on the race, it's too late, she's fallen right into Cloud's trap. Her eyes grow wide at the sudden appearance of the banana peel, completely helpless as Toadette goes spinning out of control. And in the most ~~salty~~ dramatic fashion, she lets out a: ]

NOOOOO!

[ THE SALT AND BETRAYAL.... ]

Cloud... I thought we were buddies. I can't believe this. Grrr, just you wait! I'll get my revenge.

[ Now this? Was where Cloud's rarer playful side comes out. Because just as he sees Yoimiya spin out behind him? Whether she sees it or not, Roy suddenly...stops? Oh. No, he's actually backing up. Just for a quick second. Towards Yoimiya's Toadette? ]

Sorry. Couldn't hear you over the sound of dropping— [ 🍌 ] —bananas. What was that?

[ That was his last one. Even if Yoimiya doesn't slip on this one or drives around, he had fun taunting her, a cool smile on his face as he quickly accelerates. He already knew he wasn't going to get the best placing or win this little test race of theirs, but he's getting the hang of this now. ]

[ Oh gosh, everyone is arguing. Yoimiya is arguing with her boyfriend!! And yet, the back and forth gets Ayaka to laugh. Not quite heartily that she'd be considered boisterous, but it does have a bit of volume to it that's uncharacteristic of Inazuma's Shirasagi Himegimi. At the very least, she lets go of the controller with one hand to cover her mouth when she does. ]

It seems that everyone is on my side but you, Tartaglia.

[ She's having fun and it shows. These are moments she's never actually experienced before, and one that she shares with Yoimiya, too. It's amazing! To think, they could never do anything like this back home...

She's passed Tartaglia now though, and isn't in last place. Wow! Still, if she gets overtaken, she honestly wouldn't mind. One of Cloud's bananas (eyo) is something she narrowly misses, and she lets out a triumphant little "hehe" when she does.

Onward!! ]

[Even though he's struggling now to accelerate and catch up after Ayaka blew his kart up, there's something in how Yoimiya's betrayal and subsequent karma that brightens his mood, chuckling quietly and shooting his girlfriend a smirk. See! If she hadn't cheered against him this wouldn't of happened! Now, he'll have to make both Ayaka and Yoimiya pay for their transgressions. Cloud's taunt is like the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, his eyes widening with amusement when the man backs up and drops a banana down right in front of Yoimiya before zooming off. Chad behavior tbh.]

Yeah, yeah, [he says in response to Ayaka, waving his joycon around dismissively. The Fatui bias here, he swears. But he's glad to hear she's having fun, she seems a lot looser here and now than she usually is, and that's a good thing.]

I'm used to this kind of thing by now anyway. It still won't stop me.

[Since now he's in last place, now isn't he? Tartaglia races around corners to the next item boxes that pop up on the track, breaking one and getting...the ultimate weapon.

The blue spiked shell.

Never has he had such a wicked, terrible grin on his face.]

Oh ho. Look what I've got.

[And with one button press, he unleashes it on the track, chaos in his eyes and waiting to see who gets hit by it.]

[ Divine intervention for bullying her boyfriend really is coming back to get her, in the form of... bananas. Poor Toadette is spinning out of control and just when she finally gets her bearings together, she looks up, only to see Roy stopping in place... backing up? It suddenly dawns on her what's going on, oh no. Oh no no no. It's too late for her to turn, all she can do is watch on in horror as she gets hurled back once more. Huffing and puffing, Yoimiya turns around to glare at Cloud, joycon in one hand, the other balled up into a fist to shake at him. ]

CLOOOOOUD! [ Goodness, she sure can shriek. ] You'll pay for this!!

[ Oh and she absolutely doesn't forget Tartaglia and his stupid smirk. Just for good measure, she diverts her stare to the Fatooey, shaking her fist at him as well. That's it, the guys are both public enemies no. 1! Who needs smelly boys when she has AYAKA?! Speaking of, she hears her friend's soft giggles and it does the trick in cooling down her indignation. It's such a treat to see her having the time of her life, away from the duties of being the Shirasagi Himegimi.

But then, that small moment of peace gets cut by her boyfriend's declaration. She looks over, only to be greeted with a most wicked grin capable of striking fear into the hearts of many. Could it be? Does he have... uh oh. ]

No...

[ She whispers, fear dripping from her voice. It's the... dreaded blue shell. ( 😱 ) THANKS TO CLOUD, Yoimiya has fallen behind and doesn't even know who is in first place anymore but what she does know is that everyone is in danger. ]

[ The fact that it lands actually nets the couch crew an uncharacteristic yet still tempered "Hee-yes...!" from Cloud before he races off after taking Yoimiya out. When she shakes her fist at him, he's still wearing that confident and happy smirk of his. If he were on the receiving end of that, he'd have gone after her too. He doesn't blame her! But, a game's a game. And he got his ~~bullying time~~ fun in. Oh he'll pay for this?! ]

I'm counting on it.

[ Otherwise it wouldn't be such a fun and entertaining race. When Ayaka narrowly drives around the nanner that her beau dropped earlier, he hears her little satisfied 'hehe' and gently nudges her with a smile. He's having as much fun as she is. And his initial worries about Childe's affiliation? It's on the backburner. If anything, he...can't help but be a little curious about them now. Right now, this was about a night out with friends. And it turns out that amidst the scramble ~~and Cloud's tryhardness~~, our SOLDIER boy has actually pulled out into the lead amongst the four of them! Just as they hit the final lap and he gets used to drifting and timing his paces. He's mostly picking up green shells, bananas and coins by this stage though...which means- ]

What's that?

[ "No..." ]

What'd Tartaglia just do?

[ Cloud keeps racing, holding a green shell behind himself just in time to avoid a red shell from a CPU driver. Looking between the Harbinger, Yoimiya, Ayaya, he suddenly hears it. ]

Seriously, what'd he do-

[ BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP- ]

[ And just when he pulls into the illustrious 1st Place, whether anyone's explained his fate or not, the dreaded blue shell comes flying in like a bat out of hell, spinning over his driver's head before suddenly- ]

SHI—

[ Ayaka is pretty much content not winning this race anymore, but Cloud getting hit by the blue shell and eventually losing his place does remind her that this is a contest. She's trailing behind Yoimiya, so she's more than happy to let her bestie zoom past Cloud. Yoimiya's win is her win, when they all eventually reach the finish line, anyway.

(Sorry, Cloud. Looks like she stans another blonde that isn't you or Thoma.) ]

You'll catch up, my love. I'm sure of it.

[ That's the only words of comfort she'll offer him for now. She believes!! :D But she also believes in Yoimiya supremacy!! And Childe. Childe can just stay where he is. ]

Just a little longer, and the race will be over!

[The dread in Yoimiya's voice is delicious. The confusion in Cloud's is great, and he watches his friend's screens with widened eyes as the blue shell races down the track, taking out CPU players left and right due to their terrible AI. He zips past them gleefully, but the real treat of it all is when it finally catches up to the human players, reveling in the chaos that's unfolded. Tartaglia watches on as it finally catches up to their first place player, and his laughter is filled with amusement and chaos as it blows Cloud up, determined now to come up from the back of the pack to claim a good final position now that half of his opposition has been taken out.]

Plenty of time for me to catch up. Yoimiya, you're next, hahahaha...

[There's the tinge of pure evil in that laugh, though thankfully it's aimed at this friendly competition, focusing now on his driving so he can nab another box to see which weapon of war he'll get this time. He's still not in the lead, but he's lucky and gets a red shell.]

Seems luck is on my side! Oh Yoimiya~

[He calls to her in sing-song, leaning over to nuzzle his head against hers. It would of been cute if it weren't actually just a straight taunt to his girlfriend, his eyes on the prize as he corners around curves to the best of his ability.]

Here I come, I hope you're prepared. [😈]

[ There's not a hint of shame or remorse as she gleefully watches Cloud get struck by the no-good, awful blue shell of doom. Being the competitive brat she is, Yoimiya merrily laughs as the prized 1st place is snatched away from him. Now with his downfall and the support of her wonderful, caring friend, she can taste the sweet flavor of victory, feeling on top of the world as if nothing is going to stop her from taking gold.

But then, the haunting melody of Tartaglia's voice crashes that reality. That's right, he still hasn't gotten his revenge for her earlier transgression. In a panic, she swerves, trying her best to avoid his dastardly plan, but she's unfortunately not prepared in the slightest. Just like what she did to him at the beginning of the match, a red shell is hurled at her in one last act of karma. And just like that, victory is out of her sights as she falls behind both Ayaka and her scheming boyfriend. ]

No. No. No. NO!!!!

[ After the temper tanturm, she's eeriely silent, not responding to the "cute" nuzzle of his head. ~~Like out of a horror movie~~ she slowly turns her head, staring at him with a fire burning behind her eyes. With no words, she reaches over to tug on his cheek with her fingers. Mean ol' Harbingers that throw red shells don't deserve cuddles.... ]

That thing is merciless.

[ But as Cloud attempts to compose himself and get his racer back into the game? It's not Yoimiya, Childe, or even his girlfriend. It's another racer. A CPU. Cloud sees the red shell warning as he crosses an item block and receives...a coin. ]

...no— [ BAM. There goes Cloud's lead as Roy Koopa goes head over ass in his kart. ] ...

[ Cloud humors himself. He presses the reverse view button. Just in time for a wayward green shell. Said koopa is getting absolutely demolished by random shit coming at him from behind after he's passed by the other human racers. And so begins, Cloud's inaugural welcome ceremony to the art of being,

ahem.

Mario Karted™ ]

Wow. Wow.

[ That's right. Everybody's getting screwed on and/or around this couch tonight. Childe & Yoimiya to each other. And Cloud by the AI.

As for Ayaka...?

Wait.

Where is Ayaka on the track right now? Cloud's lost his lead by a mile with a string of bad luck. ]

Oh— [ Yoimiya is not the only one upset by the turn of events. Watching from behind her, Ayaka witnesses Yoimiya get struck and lose her 1st place position. Her own cart gets to be the lead now, but she doesn't notice because she looked over at Yoimiya to offer her condolences.

... ah, it looks like she's really mad at Tartaglia. Best not to step in and get in between them.

So she looks back at the screen, and the timing could not be any better. Her cart passes the finish line and declares her the victor! Now a big FINISH! is on her part of the screen. ]

Oh! Did I win?

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TOAST HIM AYAKA

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1/2

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