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

[bad_crowmance]

[ "Does that count as a secret?" ....Jusis was right, it is on the same level. ]

You weren't kidding. Heh! Alright, that's fair.

[saddleclub]

You didn't expect any more with that paltry excuse for a secret did you? Well, what else do you want to check off?

[bad_crowmance]

Hoping? Yes. Expecting? Absolutely not.

[ It was worth as shot! ]

Anyway, let's go for "share something you'd change about yourself" next.

[saddleclub]

Nothing. I'm perfectly fine as I am.

[This isn't true but whatever. It's also true enough.]

[bad_crowmance]

Wow, I don't believe you at all.

[saddleclub]

Believe what you wish. I'm sure I have areas I could improve in but there's nothing I need to change.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He still! Doesn't! Believe you! ]

Guess that one's a bust, then. Let's go for honest compliments instead.

[saddleclub]

Hold on. Answer it yourself.

[bad_crowmance]

....You didn't answer it. Why should I?

[saddleclub]

I answered it fine. Just because it didn't meet your satisfaction is no reason to be petulant.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He shrugs and grins. ]

Heh! Fine, fine. Really, the only thing I'd change is the whole "not-having-my-memories" thing. It's pretty inconvenient!

[saddleclub]

Well, that's reasonable enough. It's certainly something I'd change about you as well.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, I'd bet knowing more about a guy than he does is pretty weird!

[saddleclub]

About as weird as the reverse, I'm sure.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He hates it, thanks! ]

It's pretty weird all right.

[saddleclub]

I'm sure it will come back with time.

[bad_crowmance]

Oh yeah, I'm definitely working on getting that done as soon as possible. I've already got a couple more tokens ready to go. Anyway!

[ He glances down at his bingo card to see what squares are available. He'd get a bingo if he went for trust falling, but there's absolutely no way he can bring himself to do those. "Play a prank" would also give him one, but unfortunately all of his ideas are too elaborate to pull off spur-of-the-moment. "Wed, bed, or behead" would be hilarious but he doesn't know who Jusis knows here, so that would make it harder. ]

...Wanna kiss?

[saddleclub]

...

Not really. But if we must.

[Such enthusiasm.]

[bad_crowmance]

You really know how to make a guy feel flattered, huh!

[ He sounds more amused than anything else. ]

I won't do it if you don't want to, you know.

[saddleclub]

I'm aware. And you must also realize I don't indulge in such things casually as a habit. However I do wish to win.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, yeah. I did get the idea during truth or dare. Tell you what, I'll even play nice this time.

[ He leans in and kisses Jusis on the cheek. ]

[saddleclub]

[He huffs, and even then gets a tiny bit red.]

You needn't treat me like a child, simply because I'm not a shameless playboy.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He raises both of his eyebrows at once. ]

...Is that a challenge?

[saddleclub]

[Bad idea Jusis! Back off!

....]

And if it were?

[He's not good at backing off.]

1/2

[bad_crowmance]

[ Jusis doesn't have amnesia and therefore should know better. ]

...Well then! In that case!