“I wonder,” Quinn said. “Not being good with stairs would be the expectation, after all. There is precedent for traumatic experiences producing negative reactions even when temporally separated from the event. Even subconsciously, memories could start boiling up, encoded within the physical body until the worst possible moment. Then again, of course, I imagine my form is less and less physical by the day.” Fae took a first step up the lighthouse staircase. “Well, that is one down, and no ill effects at all.” The lighthouse did not seem so tall compared to the rest of the city, and indeed, on the times that Quinn did look down, the ground did not seem so far away. Quinn had learned from experience how short it would take to reach the ground from seemingly high places when he had fallen out of a tree later in her life. Still, Quinn figured it would do good to keep further thoughts at bay by forcing itself to the front of the two-person expedition (to dampen the flight impulse) and to instead focus on further expositing to Bridget behind them. “This is my first time seeing a lighthouse up close,” Quinn said. “I believe I mentioned my hometown of Eterna City to you before. It is not waterless -- there is a spring where Water-type Pokémon occasionally congregate -- but it is nevertheless landlocked on all sides, and certainly more known for the mountain it neighbors. I have seen depictions of lighthouses, of course. Many of them in documentary form in preparation for this adventure we are now on, though some fictional as well. I remember one rather vivid filmic depiction of a lighthouse that seemed to erode its keepers’ sanity, just as waves might erode a shoreline.” All at once, Quinn burst into an old mariner's hymn: Doodle let me go, me girls! Doodle let me go! Hurrah! Me yaller girls, doodle let me go! But two things prevented the young ghost from continuing past the refrain. The first was simple memory – they did not remember any more, and Quinn considered hirself polite enough to not drill it into eir companion’s head. The second was a shift in focus, back to the lighthouse they were ascending. The continuous close proximity had only amplified Quinn’s feelings towards the thing, an intense curiosity that could not be sated. Even as their other hand gripped the outer railing of the staircase tight enough to whiten Quinn’s already quite-pale knuckles, ae still reached out with its other hand to touch -- almost caress -- the lighthouse exterior. It felt cool to the touch. Quinn felt a touch on his shoulder and turned around. “Hm? Did you need something, Bridget?” Bridget, for her part, also seemed to have been relying on Quinn’s one-sided discussion to keep her attention off of stair-climbing. Quinn watched her eyes refocus back onto Quinn’s person. “What? No, I didn’t-” Before Quinn could react, Bridget was pointing at her. “Oi, there’s a hand on you!” Quinn’s eyes snapped to zir shoulder, only just catching the hand before it faded from view. “A fellow!” Quinn said, eyes growing even wider with each passing word. “Hello! Well, it is good to find something empirical, especially in the light. Perhaps I should point any future nonbelievers of my condition in the region this way. And here I was worried that we might have to wait around until nightfall to encounter anything ethereal or astral in nature.” The best part was, the apparition was not immediately hostile or preventative. Nothing stopped Quinn from taking a further step up the lighthouse. Whatever fear Quinn might have had was gone. “Just think, perhaps we might find this hand’s owner at the top! Come!” And despite their size, Quinn started taking the stairs two at a time.

16th Rankings Tournament – Day 0 – 6:45 PM An impossible choice faced the great hero Match.  The outcome of such a choice could affect his very future, nay, the very future of the world! Lives that had yet to be saved hinged on this grand choice. The weight of the future crushed his shoulders as he stared at his two impossible choices. "Tie or scarf...?" Match picked up both strips of cloth, looking over them with a critical eye. Both were a vibrate red, the classic color to stand out against his black formal wear. What would reassure people more? A formal tie, to show he meant business? Or a flowing scarf, to show everyone even at a party, he was here to be a hero? Even a simple detail like this mattered.  "I wish they made tie scarves...," he muttered as he compared the two. His eyes drifted to the tie. It hung limply, as if it was being crushed by the formality it represented. On the other hand, the scarf's edge fluttered, as if beckoning to him. Under his mask, Match smiled. "Yeah, that's right. It shouldn't have even been a question,"  Tossing his tie on the bed, Match quickly wrapped the scarf around his neck. "Match, moving out!" He called out to no one as he posed in the middle of his room. After a second of silence, the man chuckled to himself, obviously pleased.  The door to his room opened without a sound as his handler walked in.  "You're chipper this morning," The young man stated emotionlessly.  "And you're in need of a coffee, Ichigo," Match teased as he walked over, adjusting his helmet as he walked. unlike its usual colors, this mask was black to match his suit. "Let's get you one on the way to the gala, eh?" "It's way too late in the night for that,"  "Oh, don't be that way! We got a long night ahead of us! A coffee for you and two for me!" Match let out a hearty laugh as they left, ready to take on this gala.  ══════════════ 16th Rankings Tournament – Day 0 – 7:45 PM P.A.R.T.Y. time The limo came to a halt as the door opened. A second passed. Two seconds. After three seconds, Match stepped out of the limo. He took a step forward, his scarf flowing in the wind behind him. He then stopped, planting his foot solidly into the ground. With a dramatic flourish, he pointed his right hand into the sky, a classic pose of victory. "Good evening, my fans!" Match called out before turning to point at the cameras pointed towards him. "Thank you for taking the time to see me!" he quickly turned, pointing to another camera at a different angle. "I hope you enjoy the show! I got dressed up just for all of you!"  With that, he began to walk forward once again, letting the media swarm around him.  "Match, what are your thoughts about the brackets this year?" "Seeded brackets are really tough!" Match answered without missing a beat, laughing as he did. "To face Grimalkin right off the bat, and then follow it up with either Maestro or someone who can beat Maestro? It's like they don't want me to have a break! However, I'll give it nothing less than my all!"  "Speaking of brackets!" A clever reporter spring boarded off the last one's question. "Do you have anything you wish to say to your fellow heroes?" "Something to say, huh?" He stopped in his tracks. "As a matter of fact, I think I do," Once again, he pointed forwards, but this time, not to any camera or reporter. He pointed to the other heroes that went before him. "To the heroes who forge the path on this red carpet! I challenge you! Overcome us who follow behind!" He whipped around, pointing to the very start of the carpet. "To those who follow in my footsteps, know I'm coming after you! Especially you Maestro! This year is the year I'll overcome you! I won't just be a hero. I'll be your hero!"  "Oh, is this yet another direct challenge to Maestro? Do you believe you can win this year?" "I've been studying and training for this moment ever since last year! Maestro will soon meet his Match!" He took another step forward, pausing slightly as he realized he stepped in something. Something sticky... did someone spit out gum on the red carpet? "Match, is there anyone you hope to avoid?" Another question made Match refocus on what was really important. "Hmmm. Can't say there is. Crossing fists with people is the easiest way to grow!" With this final question, Match reached the end. "I'll see you all later!" He waved to the crowd before taking his place.  He watched as the others entered, some with immense grace, some with immense dignity. It seemed all was going well.  Until it all came crumbling down. “Esteemed heroes and guests, the commission has an emergency announcement..."  Everyone else sprung into action. Trying to calm down the crowd, trying to organize things, all sorts of heroic actions. Match was not among though. He stood still, staring at down the red carpet. It was almost as if he believed if he just kept staring, Maestro would appear. Like this was all just some sort of joke. They'd laugh, get scolded, and move on with life. But a limo never drove up, and nothing changed. Match could only stand there, clenching his fist as the world moved around him. 

16th Rankings Tournament – Day 0 – 6:50 PM As Alvin slipped the longer frock coat onto his shoulders, he sighed. Sleep had been unfortunately brief, interrupted as it was. Any attempts to rest further been upended by the radio interview he had been scheduled to do that day, Catalyst wouldn’t let him flake out of another opportunity to reach the public. Personally, he wasn’t quite sure why they still bothered, with their more recent hits they had landed. Sadly, no amount of stubbornness had managed to convince them to keep him on a shorter leash. Management was as fussy as ever, and while he wouldn’t take it out on anyone else… He could at least force the management to deal with his sour mood. “Absolution, are you ready?” The sound from outside the door made him groan gently, his arms propped against the bathroom sink as he looked into the mirror. The bags underneath his eyes were readily apparent, but he spoke firmly, “Of course. I know what time it is.” “Don’t know why you don’t just stay at the Hero Tower more often. I’m tired of fetching you from this dump.” The voice sounded a bit on edge, a little sigh escaping Alvin as he rubbed at the bridge of his nose lightly. Picking a fight this close to the event… Wasn’t worth the hassle. “I’ve already told you.” Alvin opened the door the grouchy looking young adult, stepping out into the main hall of the apartment. His hands adjusted the buttons on his jacket, fastening them into place as he walked past his manager. “Let’s go.” “Fine, fine. Not like I’ve got any reason to hold you back.” The two got into the small vehicle that Alvin used, well maintained, though nothing fancy. Given his role… He wouldn’t be driving it tonight, something that frustrated him to no end. He was tired. “Alright. You know how it goes.” The younger guy’s hand rose up as he held a finger into the air, “The cameras are gonna be on you, don’t make a scene.” Alvin had to stop a small snort at that, they gave him the same warning every time. Either they never caught on that he only give them a hard time, or they just had that little faith in him. He wouldn’t be surprised by either. “Two, the other Catalyst Top Ten are the stars of the show, as far as I’m concerned. You can look good all you want, but don’t do it at their expense.” He wasn’t sure if that was from the higher ups or just his manager. He usually assumed it was just this sad sack who was assigned to deal with him. He just nodded his head lightly, “Of course.” “And three. Don’t be a downer! This is a good night to try and lift people up a bit. Everyone assumes nothing is going to change with Number One, sure, but it’ll be a good time.” His eyes rolled a bit as he glanced out the window. They were getting closer already, a small sigh escaping him as his eyes closed a bit, “It will be an evening.” ══════════════ 16th Rankings Tournament – Day 0 – 7:39 PM Absolution stepped out of the modest vehicle, straightening his back after the ride. As he stood, he raised a hand in a brief wave to the crowd, taking a few steps forwards before the media swarm could really begin. “Absolution! Is there any truth to the rumors that you’re planning to retire within the year?” He laughed lightly, “If I was going to retire, it would have been before this tournament. I can’t afford to retire just yet.” “What do you have to say about the ongoing discussion about why you’re trailing behind the other Catalyst Forge heroes?” He ran his fingers along the sides of his beard, stroking at the trimmed hairs gently as he tilted his head, “Perhaps trailing behind at my age isn’t such a bad thing? That leaves the future in good hands, the way I see it. I hope more young Heroes surpass me, even tonight.” “Do you have anything to say to the folks who still see you as the villain who rampaged years ago?” That question never surprised him, there was always someone who asked it, hoping to get a rise out of him. It never worked, but they always tried. He just shook his head gently, “Those who remember it and hold it against me have fair cause to. I’ll continue as I have since I was released from prison and hope to change minds.” He’ll never mention that being dragged into the spotlight was enough for him to deal with, he couldn’t afford to think too heavily on what the people dragging his name had to say. He made his way down the carpet, acutely aware of the anticipation building with each heroes' arrival. After all, he was only Number 7. It was only a matter of time before they were over him, and he was more than ready to accept that. He finished his walk and found a quieter spot, watching the arrival of the others. Truthfully, he didn't have a close relationship with any of the other heroes. Riot Cannon and Energex were simply too much for him. He held no ill will towards them, but the idea of acting alongside them was simply headache inducing. He respected Étoile Prima and her venerable career, though he doubted that sentiment was returned with her attitude. And of course. The Brave and Bahamut. He couldn't imagine working with them. “Esteemed heroes and guests, the commission has an emergency announcement..."  He paused, turning his attention towards the Commission messenger. The frown on his face turned into a full blown scowl at the admission. Well, he had to suppose this was a scandal of some kind. He watched as Bahamut rose up into the air, attempting to keep the crowd calm before things could get out of hand. He wasn't quite sure that would work himself... But he gave a small nod in response as he descended from the air back to the ground. He watched as the others found their own ways to occupy themselves, never quite moving from his spot as he glanced up towards the sky, contemplating the turn the evening had taken. He had no desire to step into the fray himself, not just yet. It was simpler to let the event... Most likely peter out now. He doubted things were going to continue for long on this note. Really, the most surprising part to him was that the tournament would continue. It hardly seemed appropriate now.