The Eighth Trial

[hot_mess_express]

Who: Heroes
When: Day 17, morning
Where: the party zone The Fairy Circle

Come hither, Heroes. Prove thy worth.

Just like always, the train shudders in response to some foreign power. You’ve been here before, haven’t you? You know what will happen when you venture out of the train and into the dark forest beyond in search of some old house, or a tower, or whatever fresh nonsense awaits you.

But there’s no inexplicable new castle or what-have-you. Instead the air outside the train is filled with glittering bubbles floating lazily above what appears to be a collection of large white mushrooms grown in a circle.

Obviously there is no door, and touching any of the bubbles will simply cause them to burst. Should you step into the circle, however….

Foolish heroes, destined to be swallowed by the encroaching malice… can your hearts truly withstand the nightmare that is reality?

Darkness overtakes you.


When you wake up the first thing you may notice is this game has a soundtrack. The music appears to have no discernible source and fills the entire room. ... and what a room it is.

It appears you’ve been transported to some kind of… children’s… birthday party?

At the far end of the room is a large table with a sign above it reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY. It’s a pretty impressive set up with a variety of goodies including noise makers, party hats, disposable plates and cups, and enough sugar to fuel a whole room full of grade schoolers

The biggest and arguably most important party refreshment sits right in the middle of the table, however; a giant bowl of fruit punch. Don’t worry children it’s non-alcoholic. It's also not suspicious at all.


For now, don't worry! Mingle! Eat food! Don't think about all the bad things going on right now!! And don't forget to read the rules near the punch bowl.

RULES ☆ EFFECTS ☆ Q&A ☆ TURN-IN ☆ WINNERS & ENDGAME

Comments

[bad_crowmance]

That's disappointing. It'd make the trial more interesting.

[desirestruth]

...Nothing says you can't add alcohol to your cup.

[SHE'S JUST SAYING.]

[bad_crowmance]

Nah, I don't feel like buying any booze.

[desirestruth]

[She doesn't say anything.

She just reaches into her coat.

To pull out a bottle of gin.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow flashes her a grin. ]

Heeeeey, did you know you're my favourite person on the train?

[desirestruth]

Oh, I thought there'd be pretty stiff competition!

[She pours some into her glass, and then holds out the bottle so she can pour liberally into Crow's.]

...I guess we should think of questions.

[bad_crowmance]

Nope, it's definitely you~♫

[ In this moment, at least. ]

Thank you! I'll let you go first.

[desirestruth]

I definitely won't let it go to my head.

[She shrugs a bit, and considers for a moment. She doesn't really feel like prying, so.]

What's your favorite color? ...Assuming you remember. I suppose 'I don't know' would be truthful.

[bad_crowmance]

Of course, you would never.

[ His tone is mocking but he actually does believe she wouldn't. ]

Hmm.... I'd say azure. It's a nice, soothing colour.

[desirestruth]

Ohhh...it is pretty. Hard to find in plants, or I'd suggest getting seeds of something for your carriage.

[A beat.]

You all seem like you could use the soothing. Your turn.

[bad_crowmance]

....What do you mean by that?

[ He sounds puzzled. Also that's his question. ]

[desirestruth]

I mean I had to confiscate wine from Hlasoh yesterday morning before she combined it with sedatives, Emilia seems high-strung and paranoid, and I know how Lucien deals with high-stress with memories, and it remains how to be seen how he does without them.

[No one has ever accused Naeva of not being honest. She also clearly doesn't think of this as particularly weird to just know and rattle off.]

...Given the situation we're in, it's probably best for most of us to look into things that are calming, anyway. Running at full stress all the time just breaks people.

[bad_crowmance]

They're all doing that bad, huh? ...Alcohol and sedatives?

[ He sighs. ]

Guess I should figure out what to do with them at some point.

[desirestruth]

I don't think Lucien and Emilia are in a critical state, yet. Or, well...I don't know Emilia well enough to tell. Lucien should be fine as long as he has something to work on.

[She shrugs a little bit.] Hlasoh probably won't trust you. I'd send someone else to watch her, if I were you.

[She pauses, though, thinking.] But none of that's a question, huh...well. Favorite kind of alcohol?

[Because she feels like she'll be providing some later.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He doesn't react outwardly to the comment about Hlasoh, but it definitely makes him think he made the right call. ]

Whiskey, but I'm not picky.

[desirestruth]

[She doesn't trust you because of that call, Crow. But Naeva's not going to tell him that. This is Licorice's problem to sort out.]

Whiskey, hmm. [She kind of makes a face. Too burny! She says, liking gin.] Your turn.

[bad_crowmance]

[ Yeah, he picked up on that implication. It's why he thinks he made the right call. ]

Not a fan, huh? That's fine. What's your favourite colour?

[desirestruth]

Mmm...never really thought about it. Green, if I had to say off the top of my head.

[Things naeva doesn't realize are potentially embarrassing: that.]

[bad_crowmance]

Green like a certain someone's eyes~?

[desirestruth]

Wha--that's--!

[She splutters. And then immediately drinks her punch.

Fuck you, crow!!!]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He laughs like the jerkbird he is. ]

[desirestruth]

[She'd glare at him but she...pauses. Her ears swivel towards him, and then lay back, flat to her skull.

Y'know, the bigass jackal ears she suddenly has.]

What.

[bad_crowmance]

[ That's impressive. They even seem real. ]

Nothing, I just didn't think you'd get flustered so easily.

[desirestruth]

Don't be a jerk, that's not what I...

[She's just. Reaching up to her ears.]

I--I didn't take this power back?

[bad_crowmance]

Wait, are those real?