But Stardust wasn't, nor was she interested in learning. The whole damned thing was a system she hated, and she showered that hate proudly with a double salute. She strutted to the platform, hips swaying in opposition to her hair, and the few who knew her booed out of the crowd. This only encouraged her — her salutes retired for readjusting her top in a rude display. "How's that for family friendly fun?" With a quick smack of her own a**, she turned to the course.
"Oh, ******** this s**t." She spat into the water beneath the floating steps. Slowly she shifted from left to right, her ankle holds adding extra leverage to her stretches. Then when she felt spry enough, Star whisked the cyan streaks from her face and bounced on her heels. She took the first leap —
and slipped. Her foot careened down the platform, sliding fast, until she leveraged a quick hop to the next one. And while it wobbled beneath her, shifting her center of balance easily, she only maintained that platform for a moment. She jumped to the next, then the next, then the next with nothing but wind at her back and perspiration already settling on her brow. The crowd chattered; she felt their presence keenly. But flipping them off again required the use of her hands and shifting her stability. So she spat into the water again and continued on her way, counting the steps to her finish.
And what a finish it was — she almost slipped again and pinwheeled her arms just to stay on the platform. Some of the crowd jeered; to them, she yelled a choice insult. The announcer would have something to say about that, she was sure. And if they were televising that s**t? Revised right the ******** out.
Visual Aid
Floating Steps
A little leap-frog, a little pinball bumpers! It's up to you to make it from platform to platform as quickly as you can to cross between Point A and Point B. There's a set of six bumpers angled at 45 degrees. It's going to take a lot of agility to complete this run, although strength might come into play if you find yourself falling.
If you roll 1-3 and have chosen strength as your modifier: The number that you roll is the platform that you nearly fall off of. Your strength helps you catch yourself before you fall completely into the water.
2 - We saw you slip there! Take an extra second to catch your breath, you might need it.
Big Dipper
Jump up and grab on, you're in for a ride! Use your strength to keep your grip as you slide down the track. Holding on is only the first part of this trip, though. The important part is that you stick your landing as you launch off the end towards your next step...
If you roll 5 or 6 and have chosen strength as your modifier: Add +1 to roll #3 for the Pipe Fitter. Who knew you'd be able to launch yourself that far after hanging on so tight?
5 - This is how we do it. Were you a roller-coaster in a past life?
Pipe Fitter
Launch from the end of the dipper and grab on! The higher up you latch on to the foam pipe the less of a climb you'll have before it's time to swing. Again, you're going to need your strength to support you as you sway across two trapeze-style pipe bars. Time your leaps just right and you'll be able to shimmy down the trunk at the end where you'll have a moment to catch your breath and prepare your balance.
6 - Flawless, (+1)
Block Run
This is all about agility! Five two by two cubes are lined up six inches apart on a rod. Keep your footfalls light or the cubes will spin, just waiting to throw you off. Take a running start and go! You're going to need that momentum for what comes next.
3 - Grats! Halfway has never looked so awkward. You fumbled to start but it's smooth sailing from here on out.
Spin Cycle
Don't let this be what hangs you out to dry! Once more you're going to be relying on your strength to get a good momentum as you swing from one upside-down metal laundry basket to the next. Just be careful, they're likely to turn like a steering wheel as your weight pulls them around.
5 - You spent your recess on the jungle gym, didn't you?
Warped Wall
Take a deep breath, center yourself and give it your best run. Agility should help with keeping your feet light while strength may be needed to help you pull yourself up and over the ledge. Once you've made it, hit the button and you're done!
4 - Y'know, I almost didn't think you were going to make it but you here you are!
Floating Steps
A little leap-frog, a little pinball bumpers! It's up to you to make it from platform to platform as quickly as you can to cross between Point A and Point B. There's a set of six bumpers angled at 45 degrees. It's going to take a lot of agility to complete this run, although strength might come into play if you find yourself falling.
If you roll 1-3 and have chosen strength as your modifier: The number that you roll is the platform that you nearly fall off of. Your strength helps you catch yourself before you fall completely into the water.
2 - We saw you slip there! Take an extra second to catch your breath, you might need it.
Big Dipper
Jump up and grab on, you're in for a ride! Use your strength to keep your grip as you slide down the track. Holding on is only the first part of this trip, though. The important part is that you stick your landing as you launch off the end towards your next step...
If you roll 5 or 6 and have chosen strength as your modifier: Add +1 to roll #3 for the Pipe Fitter. Who knew you'd be able to launch yourself that far after hanging on so tight?
5 - This is how we do it. Were you a roller-coaster in a past life?
Pipe Fitter
Launch from the end of the dipper and grab on! The higher up you latch on to the foam pipe the less of a climb you'll have before it's time to swing. Again, you're going to need your strength to support you as you sway across two trapeze-style pipe bars. Time your leaps just right and you'll be able to shimmy down the trunk at the end where you'll have a moment to catch your breath and prepare your balance.
6 - Flawless, (+1)
Block Run
This is all about agility! Five two by two cubes are lined up six inches apart on a rod. Keep your footfalls light or the cubes will spin, just waiting to throw you off. Take a running start and go! You're going to need that momentum for what comes next.
3 - Grats! Halfway has never looked so awkward. You fumbled to start but it's smooth sailing from here on out.
Spin Cycle
Don't let this be what hangs you out to dry! Once more you're going to be relying on your strength to get a good momentum as you swing from one upside-down metal laundry basket to the next. Just be careful, they're likely to turn like a steering wheel as your weight pulls them around.
5 - You spent your recess on the jungle gym, didn't you?
Warped Wall
Take a deep breath, center yourself and give it your best run. Agility should help with keeping your feet light while strength may be needed to help you pull yourself up and over the ledge. Once you've made it, hit the button and you're done!
4 - Y'know, I almost didn't think you were going to make it but you here you are!
