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]

I have self-control, I just don't have a reason to practice it. How long will you last before you jump Lucien?

[desirestruth]

Until he asks me, honestly, memories or not.

[Like, she's trying very hard to respect that boundary but if Lucien makes a move her willpower will crumble to dust.]

Run into anyone else who's told you no, yet, or just me?

[bad_crowmance]

Just you! Though between you and me, I haven't even tried that hard.

[desirestruth]

[Yes let's move on from this topic and the fact what she said omitted some. Key information!]

I can believe that...

[bad_crowmance]

[ Tsk tsk, Naeva. Not that he really minds if she does. ]

Heh. Not that I'm complaining! I wouldn't really mind if they did, though.

[desirestruth]

[She may have pulled up her coat collar. Noooo reason.]

I don't doubt that either. You're persistent, not a creep.

[bad_crowmance]

Haha, thank you?

[ He'd hope he's not a creep! ]

Why'd you pull up your collar just now?

[desirestruth]

...Um.

[...She sighs. And pull it down. To the...hickey...]

I may have...neglected to put something in the past tense.

[bad_crowmance]

You got busy!

[ He's fucking delighted. ]

[desirestruth]

[Just burying her face in her hands.]

I am unfamiliar with this euphemism but we had sex, yes.

[bad_crowmance]

That's what I meant. So what, he bat those green eyes of his at you and your willpower turned to dust?

[desirestruth]

...I offered him someplace quiet to sleep, in Senna's dorm. And he did a great deal more than bat his eyes.

[Dragging her hands down her face.]

That's two questions again.

[bad_crowmance]

Go ahead and ask away.

[desirestruth]

...It's unfair, I can't even ask you who mauled you the other day, that'd be dragging someone else into it.

[Puffing air into her cheek. She wants to embarrass him back, but he has no shame...]

Who do you like least on this train? And do you have any combat abilities?

[bad_crowmance]

I don't have anyone I particularly dislike? I could tell you who I'm grumpiest with but that doesn't mean I have a problem with them. As for the other question....

[ He puts his hands by his hips and draws a pair of guns from-- thin air? Don't worry about it. ]

I've got some, yeah.

[desirestruth]

Ah...huh.

[She tilts her head a little, leans forward to squint. She doesn't really recognize this kind of weapon, so she's curious about it.]

What are these...?

[bad_crowmance]

They're orbal guns. I've remembered fighting with them, along with using arts with my battle orbment. I'd show you how they work but guns are not an "indoor" weapon.

[desirestruth]

I imagine not, from the look of them...

[She really is fascinated.]

[bad_crowmance]

Maybe I'll show you sometime.

[ He puts them away at his hips. ]

[desirestruth]

Maybe someday after I have back some skills useful for combat. I'd rather not be dead weight.

[...Naeva, don't pun.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He lets out an amused snort at that. ]

Well, it can wait. What combat abilities do you normally have?

[desirestruth]

Mmm...magic-wise, I know some elemental magecraft, although I'm self-taught, not strictly combat-trained. My witchcraft is much more useful for fighting, given most living things have blood.

[Wait--]

Beyond that, I have combat training in hand-to-hand combat, staves, spears, swords, knives and whips. I largely prefer hand-to-hand, but it's important to be adaptable. Furthermore, my full shapeshifting capabilities give me natural advantages to barehanded combat.

[JESUS.]

[bad_crowmance]

You know the "given most living things have blood" bit sounds ominous, right?

[ Though he doesn't sound threatened. ]

Haha, I'd love to see you in action someday, though!

[desirestruth]

It's not my fault I have an innate control over life energy and that usually means blood, Crow.

[No less ominous, Naeva.]

Well, I have some of it back...and there are those geckos. We should probably bring backup, in case I'm worse at this than I expect?

[She's practical, if nothing else.]

[bad_crowmance]

That doesn't make it less ominous. Heh! I'll let you pick the backup.

[ Congratulations, Naeva, you're the party leader. ]