The Ninth Trial

[advisories]

Who: everyone
When: Day 18, starting just after dawn
Where: The Hermit's Tent, and all around

[This morning as the sun begins to pour through the train's windows, there's the tremor that signals a Trial.]

Come hither, Heroes. Prove thy worth. Or something like that!

[It's the same older man's voice from the sixth trial, and outside is the same fortune teller's stall. Today the front flap is lifted to show a normal interior -- there's a wooden table, carved with geometric patterns and painted in bright colours, lit by teal-coloured carved candles.

At the table sits a man of indeterminate age, somewhere between 30 and 60. He's wearing what appear to be monk's robes, teal with patterned trimming. In front of him is a crystal ball and a stack of bingo cards, along with a stand-up sign bearing the rules of this Trial.

Across the top in large font, it says:

Icebreaker Bingo

Good luck and have fun!]

Comments

[unaffective]

[ skimming over it with a fairly pensive expression; by the time she's finished she's pasted a tiny smile on top, flagging you down! yes! you! ]

Good morning! Would you be interested in playing?

[cawnflict]

No.

[ ... ]

But I will, this time.

[unaffective]

If you would instead prefer to make requests of me, rather than filling your own squares, that is certainly acceptable.

[cawnflict]

[ ha ha ha. ]

There's a couple on here that aren't ridiculous. [ ... ] But I want to see you pretend to be an animal.

[unaffective]

[ looks at the card

looks at him, ]

I don't care for any animals, particularly...

[cawnflict]

Really?

[ ... it's kind of an odd feeling. Maybe it's because his life has revolved around caring way too much about "animals". ]

That's relieving. You don't think any are cute?

[desirestruth]

We may as well.

[Sup. Here with a blood baggie. Sucking on it.]

[unaffective]

Well, then...

[ giving the sheet another quick scan. hmm ]

To speak candidly, you are quite beautiful.

[desirestruth]

[She saw it on the card, so she expected it, but she still gets a little bit red.]

Ah....thank you. You are--lovely as well, particularly your hair. It seems quite luxurious.

[unaffective]

I do try to care for it when possible. Thank you.

Is there something the matter?

[bowtiedbones]

Good morning. And I would, yes!

[unaffective]

Would you like to begin, in that case?

[bowtiedbones]

Sure‐ oh! Actually, since we're about the same height, want to do a trust fall? I don't want to accidentally drop someone bigger than me!

[unaffective]

That seems reasonable... would you like to catch me?

[voreaciously]

[uuuuuuuuuuuugh]

Yes.

[unaffective]

Of course. Well then, please feel free to begin. I have no preference regarding our squares.

[voreaciously]

Pretend to be your favourite animal, then.

[unaffective]

[ well. sure.

she shifts her skirts around to squat comfortably on the floor

and hops around a bit. no pyon pyon noises this time around. ]

[nihilmancy]

[She's a little dubious too, but she smiles politely.]

I think that would be alright.

[unaffective]

Please feel free to begin, in that case.

[nihilmancy]

[Hmm, how about... reaches out and pinches her nose.]

Boop, got your nose. It's gone now.

[unaffective]

... I beg your pardon?

[malignstar]

Always. Whatcha need?

[unaffective]

All of them would be most ideal, though I have no preference as to the order.

[malignstar]

Then shoot.