hot_mess_express ([personal profile] hot_mess_express) wrote in [community profile] auroraexpress2019-03-22 08:50 pm

The Eighth Trial

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.

RULESEFFECTSQ&ATURN-INWINNERS & ENDGAME

[personal profile] nihilmancy 2019-03-23 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
...What do you mean? I don't understand.
bowtiedbones: (53)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-23 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh! I guess that doesn't work if you're not from somewhere where tipping is a thing.
bowtiedbones: (3)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-24 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
It's extra money given to someone for a good job, especially for people in service industries. Like a hairstylist or a hotel maid or a barista. In a lot of places it's normal to tip your bartender or your waiter, and a lot of them actually count more on the tips than their actual wage for their income.

[personal profile] nihilmancy 2019-03-24 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
This sounds incredibly inefficient, and an excuse to underpay workers.
bowtiedbones: (22)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-24 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
It depends. Anyways, do you want me to ask a new question, or should we go to your turn?
Edited 2019-03-24 03:07 (UTC)

[personal profile] nihilmancy 2019-03-25 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, yes. How much do you tip your servers?
bowtiedbones: (53)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-25 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
At a sit-down place, it's at least 18% unless they did something egregious. 20% more usually, since that little bit extra does add up for them, and it's easier for me to math out anyways.

[personal profile] nihilmancy 2019-03-25 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
Interesting. What unusual economic systems.
bowtiedbones: (63)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-25 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
I guess. It's not all bad though, sometimes you really do want to give someone a bonus for doing great.

[personal profile] nihilmancy 2019-03-25 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
A bonus for doing well... that's sort of the motivation of the Spark system, isn't it?
bowtiedbones: (53)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-25 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
Sort of. The Sparks feels more like commission, really.

[personal profile] nihilmancy 2019-03-25 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, I think I know what that is. A payment offered by amount of production, no?
bowtiedbones: (27)

[personal profile] bowtiedbones 2019-03-25 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Right. Or a share of how much you collect from a sale.