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

[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!

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow moves in closer and dips his head down slightly to capture Jusis' lips in a kiss, moving his hand to the back of the other man's neck and resting it lightly there. And this is Crow and he doesn't know how to behave himself, so this is definitely not a chaste kiss. ]

[saddleclub]

[He knows better! He's just bad at backing off from a challenge! And now here they are. With his hands half lifted but just, staying half lifted, unsure where to put them for several moments before he drops then awkwardly back to his sides.

His lips are soft and his mouth is warm and while he has some idea what he's doing his confidence is more the "fake it til you make it" variety than any kind of vast experience. He's not trying to hold back in kissing back though. Because he really is bad at backing down.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ None of this is encouraging Crow to stop making out with Jusis, honestly. He's having fun! And surely if Jusis wasn't enjoying it he'd stop!

That or he's a gay disaster who is terrible at backing down. Crow thinks it might actually be that one.

Either way though, he keeps thoroughly kissing Jusis while he takes his free hand and grabs one of Jusis, placing it somewhat haphazardly on his ass. It's a good place for hands to go. ....Maybe he also wants to see if Jusis will get flustered. ]

[saddleclub]

[It's not like he isn't slowly getting into the taste and feel of Crow's mouth on his, or the play of tongues against each other. Rather, his heart is racing and he's a little bluescreen over it internally. A lot bluescreen maybe. He's very gay and a giant disaster.

Thankfully Crow startles him out of it and when his hand makes contact with Crow's ass he yanks it back and puts both hands on Crow's chest to shove him back.]

Th- that's quite enough.

[His voice is a little rough and his cheeks are red and his eyes are pointed sideways not looking at Crow directly, but he's also looking perturbed. His bitchy "I'm looking mad to hide that I'm really embarrassed" face.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He can't help but laugh a little at that reaction. ]

You're not a bad kisser, you know! [ "For a guy who clearly has very little experience," he doesn't say. ] You should probably figure out what you wanna do with your hands next time you kiss someone, though.

[saddleclub]

I simply didn't expect you to go so.... fast. I suppose I should have.

[He's ignoring the obvious unsaid part because it's embarrassing.]

I suppose that covers a compliment too. Very well. I find your company agreeable enough.

[That's a compliment and he's trying to change the subject with the game, dropping his hands from Crow's chest.]

[bad_crowmance]

Even though I'm a shameless playboy? Aw, I'm flattered!

[ His tone's teasing and he's smiling. ]

[saddleclub]

[Ugh Crow.]

As you should be.

[He can keep his composure and be cool and snooty!]

[bad_crowmance]

Anyway, if diagonals count, I've got "pretend to be your favourite animal" as the last thing I need to get a bingo.

[saddleclub]

Be my guest.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He lifts a hand like a paw, grinning at Jusis. ]

Nyaaa~?

[saddleclub]

....Should I clap?

[bad_crowmance]

Nya!

[ He mimicks batting at a cat toy with his hands. ]

[saddleclub]

[He claps once, dryly.]

Very impressive.

[bad_crowmance]

Thanks, I thought so too.

[saddleclub]

...

Neigh. I suppose.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He tries to keep a straight face, he really does-- but he can't, he can't, he breaks and he's laughing. ]

You suppose!

[ He's delighted. ]

[saddleclub]

[This faint blush is just never going away.]

That's all you're getting.

[Don't make riding jokes.]

[bad_crowmance]

I had no idea! Are you an experienced rider?