auroraexpress | 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.

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, that.

[ He doesn't add on to that. ]

I thought about it even more after yesterday's game. Right now... I'm very angry at Emilia. She made me do something that, um, well, I had reasons for breaking down the way I did. I started to wonder why I was so loyal to this made up construct of the Prince.

You said that I seemed too attached, and I want to know what you meant.

...You owe me an answer first. It's my turn to ask. So here's one for you— will knowing my answer really make you feel any better about it?

[Truthfully, it might hurt. And yet- somehow she has to know, why it is that she keeps being avoidant and attaching herself to things at the same time.]

I don't know. It's not the sex that bothered me, you know. I like sex, but I can, er, take care of those needs on my own. It's something, um, harder to explain.

...It would help me perhaps understand some thoughts that I am wrestling with, with regards to our team, and why I am here and what I should be doing here. I want to hear another person's perspective.

I'm no fool. I know that I'm- let's say not all quite right. And that I don't do a very good job of hiding it.

....Truth be told, you don't seem like a bad girl. You've clearly got your issues, but who doesn't? I don't really see that there's anything "not quite all right" about you.

[ He tucks his hands behind his head. ]

But you seemed like you wanted more than I can offer you. Not a relationship or whatever, I believed you there. But a connection, emotional intimacy or camaraderie.... something more. I don't want any of that. I want no strings attached, take 'em or leave 'em.

...Yes, that sounds about right. I do use sex as an outlet. If it makes any difference, it's not an emotional connection to you specifically.

[This is almost funny to her though? He's just as emotionally stunted as her, and he probably doesn't even know or remember why, or even that it's a problem.]

I see. I actually read too much into it. You're a very pure person, in a way.

Haha, I'm not quite arrogant enough to think it was that.

[ He sounds amused. And she's right, he doesn't realize how emotionally stunted he is, doesn't realize it's a problem, and definitely doesn't remember why he's like this. ]

But "pure," huh? I sure wouldn't have used that particular word. What were you reading into it?

Well, it was pretty frustrating, knowing you can't fuck the easiest boy on the train.

[She almost feels bad for him? But that's hypocritical, because she's really bad off emotionally too. But at least she realizes it. All the same, she's relieved, in some way.]

I don't know, maybe that I came across as too clingy, or like some sort of creep. Like I was too broken, I suppose as I said earlier.

But yes, I'd say "pure." You actually seem very innocent.