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Hopefully this wouldn't make a gambler out of Briar, because it turned out that he won. Which meant that instead of the coin becoming their key, Briar got to keep his Tummy Coin while Malo's dice turned into their key. Now to figure out what to do with it. That made at least a few pairs who'd managed to get their key now. The reason it had worked was they had needed to bet something, for it to be gamble, so when Briar bet his coin and picked a number they had completed their challenge.

[[OOC: Mousse, I cannot believe the dice ACTUALLY rolled in your favour. Consider this the Lucky Seven achievement, and I'm putting 1 Tummy Coin into your inventory, because I am completely floored you actually won.]]





Seemed like the Green boy and the cranky one who simply held out his box were on the right track. They would likely get their key soon, if they continued on this way, but who could say until it really happened?

Apparently Kennard wasn’t very good at paying attention. Nor was he very good at mingling with his fellow toddlers. He remained slightly apart, reacting too slow when he was spoken to. The art of conversation and friendship was a foreign concept. He was nice enough, but from them he could not quite hide his lacking. It was easier around older people. They cooed and coddled, never seeing past his cute bear ears and big adorable eyes. So Kennard trailed behind, grabbing his box up last. He sat on the wet ground to the side and opened the Round “Box confused . One by one he took out the odd little bits and pieces, arranging them until he was satisfied with each ones placement. The guides riddled words about the boxes were overlooked as he simply admired the tacky little items.

Wait, everyone was pairing up? What were they doing? Kennard looked up, humming quietly under his breath. He slowly packed his items back into the box and took a step towards the others. He smiled broadly, searching for his partner amongst the group.

[Stepping towards anyone who hasn’t got a partner yet… xD]

Viktor smiled triumphantly under the mask, though nobody would ever see it. Of course he'd been right, for all the evidence had pointed to just such a conclusion! Glorious science, or at least the scientific method, had carried the day!

He stared at the dressy boy, preparing himself internally to recoil backward if he drew too close, for he tended not to trust strangers. He was gladdened, then, to see it wouldn't be a problem, for his apparent partner didn't want to get any closer than Viktor himself did. The pikachu, with his ruined eye and weak body, tended to have that effect on others, and Viktor had absolutely zero problems with it. A safe distance was just that: safer.

He was worried, for a moment, that his partner was going to suggest that Viktor hop along with him, for physical activity was where he drew his line in the sand. Not because he didn't like it, but because he couldn't, his respirator mask simply wouldn't pump air into him fast enough to keep him going. His sigh of relief when this turned out NOT to be the case sounded like any other of his normally heavy breaths, hissing through the front of his mask. He dropped his box, happy to be rid of the cursed weight, and slowly approached the door with his partner.

Viktor's voice, muffled by his mask, issued forth again, as he stared down at his page, a snippet of lines from the book scrawling along the bottom. ”... And the rabbit said, 'I think I can, I think I can, I think I can,' and he hopped all the way up the hill, hop hop hop...” Viktor looked up at his partner, an impatient look in his eye indicating that the dressy boy should commence acting out his part of his own idea.

–

Bigsby stared with increasing befuddlement at the card from his box. An empty sun in the sky, an empty sun in the sky... Maybe he needed to... Maybe something had to... had to go... had to go onto...

And even as the wheels started turning, they ground to a halt again. Bigsby had almost had a complete thought, but alas, not this time. His eyebrows knit together and his eyes narrowed as he squinted at the thing, like it was something strange or crawly. He looked up to see a great deal of children finding their pairs and receiving their keys, while all Bigsby received was a headache from thinking too hard. He was approaching on growing cranky when something nudged him.

”Eh?” Bigsby grunted, the sound becoming a regular thing while his mind sputtered and failed. He looked at the nudger, a small boy with a wet bottom from sitting on the rain-soaked ground. He inspected the box the boy offered up: inside was a tiny round thing. All at once, the wheels started turning again, and Bigsby had it!

”Don'tchyez tell me, wait, I've gots it!” Bigsby exclaimed, prying the ring loose from its home. With a triumphant gesture, Bigsby placed the ring UPON the black dot of his card where the sun should have been. He waited, staring, with a grin plastered across his features as nothing happened.

Saint-Cinq

Jace didn't like the thought that he had to leave his home. As they boarded the ferry he sighed and stuck close to Logan, glancing back at Spades with hooded eyes; he was tired of these strange kids and their tasks. Despite that the ride wasn't all that bad up until it started to rain and it got cold. With a soft grumble he tugged his hat down and zipped up his jacket, scowling a little before shuffling to follow Logan again.

When his friend gestured for Ryder to stay close to him, huddle together even, under the umbrella, he shot them a mildly annoyed look despite staying under the rather sizable umbrella anyways. When their guide hurried them forward he glanced at Logan, making sure to keep pace with him before sighing when they eventually lost him; how annoying. However when the mystery surrounding the mirror was solved it seemed that their guide miraculously found them again, causing him to shake his head.

When they reached the clearing and he was handed a box he blinked, turning it over in his hands, brows furrowing a little. What was he supposed to do with this anyways? Suddenly it was snatched from his hands by Logan causing him to growl, ears flattening a little.

"As if your box is any better!" he snapped, watching Ryder stare at his as if it held all the secrets to the universe.

When Logan spoke again Jace gave him a grumpy look before looking back to the paper in his hand. What kind of stupid puzzle was this anyways? He didn't like teamwork to begin with, but teamwork with complete strangers that he most likely hated? That was worse... For all he knew he could be paired with that annoying Litwick.

When Logan grabbed his hand his eyes narrowed and he cast him a sharp look. "What do you--"

Then, suddenly, a ring was placed on his finger, causing his hackles to rise, teeth baring in a snarl. However he then blinked when it slowly transformed into a key, which he promptly plucked off his finger. He felt awkward; why would anyone make such a test for them anyways? Of all the ridiculous things for them to do to get a key...

"Me?" Jace muttered, looking away, cheeks burning in embarrassment. "I'm not saying nothin."

---------------------

Ryder enjoyed his close proximity to Logan, shivering a little in the cold even as he huddled close for warmth. Jace didn't seem to like how friendly he was with the other boys friend but he couldn't help himself. As they made their way through the maze and past the first riddle, he stuck as close to the boy as possible without hindering his ability to walk.

When Logan handed him his box back he tilted his head, staring at the fruit inside before his brain started making connections. He glanced around at everyone that was gathered, peering at what they had, dismissing each one by one. Then he saw Bigsby's, his eyes brightening a little. His piece of dried fruit was golden, like the sun, but also dried by the sun! Perhaps that was what needed to happen then? Was he paired with the other boy? Judging from how Logan and Jace had solved the puzzle he didn't think the ring would work...

Biting his lip he walked over to Bigsby, his blue eyes wide as he hesitantly reached out and plucked the ring from the paper, biting his lip and handing it back to the other boy Bigsby had taken it from. He didn't say anything, just smiling as he set his piece of fruit in the circle before beaming up at Bigsby; he really hoped that the other boy didn't smack him before he had a chance to explain.

"U-um... It's gold... Like the sun... And round, right? And... Your ring goes with a box like Jace's... Because I saw him and Logan solve that one... So... I mean... It makes sense that the ring doesn't work... Right?" The Ponyta's tail was flicking back and forth, nervous; he hoped that he wasn't wrong.

---------------------

Connor had been along for the entire trip, but had remained quiet, in the background, not interacting with anyone. He was very shy by nature, but when he was given and Ornate Box he frowned, turning it over in his hands. Upon unwrapping it he stared at the card inside... He'd like to show you that he loves you.

He bit his lip, looking up and glancing around, his tail swaying behind him as he attempted to find his match just by looking around. Connor really didn't want to slip into the mass of children; he was too anxious and nervous. Hopefully, maybe, after everyone was paired up, the last one would find him and they could finish this test without him having to... Make a fool of himself, like he always did.

Kennard looked mighty happy that Isaac had approached and he was quick to show off the box. Settling down in front of the other toddler, he opened it up. “I got this one… it’s full of these little things…” He picked one of the little items out, holding it in his palm for Isaac to see. Then, as if remembering his manners, he quickly added, “I’m Kennard.”

His eyed the bracelet Isaac was holding curiously. “Can I see?” He asked, pushing his own box forward for inspection.

“Isaac…” Kennard repeated the name and nodded, memorizing it to heart. Trading his box for Isaac’s, Kennard took out the bracelet. He read the inscription, mouthing the words silently and frowning in puzzlement. “I… don’t know…” He smiled and scratched an ear. “I guess I’m no good at tricky things either…” The others seemed onto something, or at least they seemed pretty busy working it out.

Kennard slipped the bracelet onto his wrist and he turned it around on his wrist thoughtfully. Well, he had no idea at all. “Do you think we’ll get food soon?”

Kennard eyes went wide with delight. For him, the greatest show of friendship was the offer of food. “Sounds good!” But now the bear had begun thinking. If they wanted to move further through the maze, towards a fantastic spread of food (in his imagination at least), they needed to figure out the puzzle. He was still not sure exactly what he was supposed to do, except that it involved the boxes… doing something… but he was willing to give it a real shot now.

Now he eyed the other toddlers, this time really paying attention to what was going on. There was another boy standing off to the side, alone. Maybe if there were three of them, they could figure it out faster? “Put some of my box bits into your box.” He suggested; the bracelet from Isaac’s box still on his own wrist.

Again he looked towards Conner. “Should we ask someone else for help?”

"I think I can, I think i can!" Skyler said in his clearest voice, which was still not loud enough to scare a bug off his nose. He hopped to the door and wiggled his own bushy tail, trying the key in the lock.

He didn't trust this place. The mirror was gone now and he was left with bunny ears and a boy in a scary mask...maybe the mask kept him from biting other people and the things it was hooked up to were a clever rouse!? He felt his lip quiver, hoping he could get away from him, trying the door.