The Sixth Trial

[hot_mess_express]

Who: unfortunate (?) souls
When: Day 15, afternoon
Where: some shady tent

Come hither, Heroes. Prove thy worth.

[Oh boy it's Trial time guys!!

That is to say there's the usual slight shake of the train, and outside a trial area appears! This time it's a highly decorated cloth tent, reminiscent of a fortune teller's stall, and the voice calling the heroes forth is a deep, aged and manly one. A warm light peeks out from behind the curtained entrance, welcoming you inside.

Those who go in, by their own will or compulsion, will find themselves in what seems to be a theatre lobby. There's a pretty, golden fountain with bench seating around it and lovely flickering oil lamps on the brocade walls.

For a little while, you're left to mingle.]

SIGNUPS ☆ PREGAME MINGLE ☆ RULES ☆ ROOMS ☆ WINNERS & ENDGAME

Comments

[nihilmancy]

[Nah bro, she understands the sex without attachments ethos very well, even if she has feelings anyway and those feelings suck]

Well, the Sparks are only a bonus. I'm willing to admit that I simply enjoy this.

[bad_crowmance]

I wouldn't have guessed about the sparks. Man, that's one hell of a bonus though.

[ He grins. ]

Of course, I'd go for it anyway.

[nihilmancy]

Yes, demonstrating physical affection is one of the universal Bonds.

Hah, you're incorrigible, but it makes you charming. [Is this something approaching a genuine smile???]

[bad_crowmance]

I've decided that if I can't remember anything, I might as well be as unapologetically myself as I can to make up for it.

[nihilmancy]

...I'm jealous of that. I wish I could live that way.

[bad_crowmance]

I don't recommend the "amnesia" way of getting to that point.

[nihilmancy]

[...Ah. That must be why he's so attractive to her. Somebody that lives vibrantly like this. If she can just bask in a little of the light of people like him, that would be nice.]

Mm. I wonder. Sorry to put a damper on the mood.

[bad_crowmance]

[ They're at the cabin by now, so he sets her onto the ground so they can open the door and waves a hand dismissively. ]

Don't worry, I'm still plenty in the mood.

[nihilmancy]

Yes, you live freely. That's what's beautiful about you.

[She tilts his head down to kiss him again, but only for a moment, because she's taking his hand to lead him to her room.]

[bad_crowmance]

I'm not sure that's the word I'd use....

[ But he's letting himself get led either way. ]

[nihilmancy]

It's not something that would be easy to explain.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He shrugs slightly. ]

Well, I'll just take your word for it.

[nihilmancy]

[She opens the door to her room, and brings him inside. Gods, but her heart is pounding. It's nothing strange to her now- she has found many little moments of solace like these, usually from people she barely knows, prostitutes and caravan guards and travelling singers and dancers. But she can't help but look forward to these moments of intimacy and closeness and pleasure, fleeting as they may be. Especially with somebody so warm and attractive and indulgent of her desires.

Feeling emboldened, she grabs him by the lapels for another hungry kiss, pressing against him close enough to feel his erection- her tiny pink tongue darting as if trying to explore him.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He moves easily into the kiss, letting her control the pace for now but readily responding even as his hand drifts down her back until it curves around to grab her ass. ]

[nihilmancy]

[Hlasoh's figure is slender, but her slight curves are well proportioned. She gasps slightly into to the kiss. Her hand reaches down- but not to touch him. A moment later she breaks away, and brings her fingers to his lips, slick and musky with her arousal.]

You did this to me. Taste.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He considers her hand for a moment before he gently grabs her wrist and pulls it away from his mouth. ]

Jumping ahead a little, aren't we?

[nihilmancy]

[pretty bold of you to tell me what's moving too fast, buddy.]

Hmm? Ah, er, I-I suppose if you wanted to save, er, t-tasting me for later, I don't mean to impose! Um, if you'd like to take the lead for now that is alright.

[bad_crowmance]

Actually... I do wanna slow down for a moment. I've got a question for you.

[nihilmancy]

[Her limbs stiffen with anxiety. She surely must have done something wrong. Or she said something to make him pry into her life. It's no surprise right? She's a monster deep down, so she'll always put humans on edge.]

Of course, a-ask anything!

[bad_crowmance]

[ He's not particularly worried about monsters, at least, not ones that happen to be teammates. ]

What are you expecting out of this?

[nihilmancy]

Sex, mostly. A chance to blow off stress. Hopefully a chance to become closer to a teammate.

...To be clear, my desire for you is not romantic. I know that such a relationship isn't something I am well suited to in my present circumstances.

[bad_crowmance]

I didn't think it was romantic.

[ He reaches to rub the back of his head idly. ]

Anyway, I hate to make out and run but... I'm not really up for this right now. It's not you, it's me.

[nihilmancy]

[The rejection stings. Not so much because of the sex, or Crow himself, and she knows that much. She's had attempted trysts that don't go anywhere, and they've never affected her very much. No, it's the realization that she sabotaged herself in some way. That she can't even find solace and validation with the people who are supposed to be her comrades.

...Why does she even care about this team anyway? She's been here less than a week, she has no reason to trust them- in fact she doesn't particular trust them, or even have strong feelings about them personally. So why?

A million thoughts whirl in her head, about how she could have messed this up, why she even cares, what this team business even means to her, all sped on by anxious frustration. She must have seemed too clingy, too desperate- and this even with her avoidance, but how did that deter somebody who seems so eager? Did she somehow compliment him too much? Was that comment of him being beautiful strange? Ah, was it the mention of the word romance, even if to dissuade the concept? Ahh, she could almost laugh, then. She's been on the other side of this. Poor silly Zahia.]

...No. You were quite up for it until a few moments ago. So leave, but at least tell me what I did wrong. Because I was try to dissuade the idea that there were any attachments.

[bad_crowmance]

Honestly? I was questioning this decision before we even got in here. You seem like a nice enough girl, you're cute and interesting-- any guy'd be lucky to hook up with you.

[ He's heading towards the exit, to leave the cabin even as he's talking. ]

But I do think we're on different pages as to what counts as "no attachments." Anyway! See you later!

[ He's out. ]

[nihilmancy]

But I don't want any attachm-!

[Oh. There he goes. Time to sulk for a while, then.]