TDP YouTube AU

1: The YouTube Convention

There were... a lot of people. Rayla had been to conventions every year but every time she forgot how many people came to these things. Inside the usually empty building there were stands set up by YouTubers spotted within the sea of excited humans and elves. And her and the MoonShadow Assassins ran one of the largest stands. Rayla rushed to sign posters and other items that were being sold. She thought she had signed enough of them beforehand to meet the demand but apparently not. She gave the last one to the cashier then sat back down next to Runaan.

"When's the... fundraiser thing?" she asked him tiredly. She had been there for almost the entire day.

Runaan looked at his watch then looked around. "We should probably head over soon." he stated as Rayla nodded.

The "fundraiser thing" was a gaming competition. Whatever team wins, is the one that gets most of the funds. However, her and her team were going up against people who weren't even gamers. There was an artist, a dumb jock, an animal loving child, a bubbly dark mage and a couple martial artists, but not a single gamer on the opposing team. She doubted any of them had ever even owned a single gaming console based on the information people have given her. She sighed. She felt bad going against someone so helpless but at least it'd be an easy win.

***

Rayla and the rest of the Moonshadow Assassins approached the section of the building where the faceoff would take place. There were crowds of people, separated from them by metal gates. Rayla watched them as she walked by. Most had their various phones out to take pictures but there were a few just watching, perhaps just trying to enjoy it in the moment.

She looked forward again and saw the other team. It really did look like they were just a few ordinary people. But there was only 3 of them. Where was the other half of their group? She looked over at Runaan and he had his head held high as he passed the opposing group. She imitated him as they walked to the section where they'd play and a small bunch of fans wearing VIP badges were excitedly waiting. The people tried to create conversation but Runaan and the others answered any questions in as little words as possible as scribbled their signatures on the posters. A couple fans came up to Rayla, grinning with excitement as they each got out their posters. "N-nice to meet you! I love your fun commentary when you play!" one told her as they offered their poster. She smiled grabbed her pen from he pocked before signing it. "Nice to meet you too." She replied. The next person handed her another poster and asked "Is there any backstory with how you came up with your channel name, Moonlit Gaming? I've always wondered." Rayla shrugged. "Not really, honestly. It's just what came to mi-" she looked at the poster she was about to sign. It was one with just her on it. A type they stopped selling years ago. She never really knew why they did. "Wow... How 'd you get this poster?" she asked as she scribbled her name on it. "Yeah, I traded it with someone for some other collectables! Took forever to find someone with it!" he told her happily then took back his poster before walking off to his seat.

Rayla glanced towards the other team and saw a boy run towards them in a panic. He talked with his group, making lots of hand movements that she didn't understand without the context, before the person she assumed was the artist started pacing. She inched closer to hear what they were saying.

"Well how are we going to do this with 4 people?! Are you sure they won't make it?"

"Pretty sure. The duel's gonna happen on the complete other side of the convention. Aunt Amaya and Janai aren't gonna make it..." The boy said sadly. A blonde guy, wearing a tank top so you could easily see parts of his bulletproof vest, asked, "Can't me and someone else just go twice?"

"Of course not! It's literally in the rules that each player can only go once! Maybe we can just... find someone else? There has to be someone, right?" A girl dressed in all black and purple suggested. 

WIP