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]

[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?

[saddleclub]

Naturally. I'm good enough.

[bad_crowmance]

In that case, I'd love to go riding with you sometime.

[saddleclub]

Really? That's a surprise. But I'm not against it.

[bad_crowmance]

Later, then! For now we've still got a trial to continue. Wanna race?

[saddleclub]

Race. Very well, if you're ready to lose.

[bad_crowmance]

No way! But I am ready to kick your ass!

[ He pounds his fist into his palm and grins. ]

[saddleclub]

You wish. See you at the end of the train.

[Time to fucking race a Crow.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He's taking off with those words, focusing not on Jusis' progress but on getting there as fast as possible. His legs are long and he is very determined. ]

[saddleclub]

[He'll lose this race too though not as badly as he loses to Rufus.]