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

[voreaciously]

[god she REALLY REALLY DOES NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT FEARS BUT

she hates losing she hates it]

A fear, then.

[it's best to just rush through it. but it's a piece of herself that she hasn't readily admitted. she doesn't tell anyone anything. she doesn't even know if kat--if Marigold knows these things about her so.

There are so many to choose.]

...I do not want to lose my eyes.

[her tone is even she tries to keep it unaffected, but it is slightly quieter than usual.]

[bad_crowmance]

....A fear. Alright.

[ He isn't going to acknowledge what she said, won't make it harder for her than it already is-- and he can tell it was very difficult, with the quiet tones she murmurs the words in. This is her fear, and he'll respect that with one of his own rather than trying to give platitudes that won't mean anything. ]

....I don't want to die.

[voreaciously]

[he did not prod at it and she is grateful for that. she will do him the same courtesy, but a part of her cannot help but be bitterly amused.

At herself.

Death, is it?]

...A pinky promise? What is that?

[she's glad for her ignorance, it gives her something to focus on.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Look, memories are gonna happen one day and that fear is gonna be bitterly fucking ironic to himself. ]

It's when you make a promise and hook pinkies together to shake on it. It's supposed to be a solemn vow.... usually among kids.

[voreaciously]

[fucking rip. literally]

Oh, I see.

[that would explain a lot]

The little finger is quite an important one, so that makes sense.

[she dumb]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He holds out his pinky finger. ]

I promise not to tease you for not knowing about that.

[ No one said this promise had to be fucking serious. ]

[voreaciously]

O-oh. I suppose it really is a common thing then, isn't it....

[...

but he says he won't tease her about it so there is that.]

Ah, very well, then.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He hooks his pink with hers and shakes their hands up and down. ]

You gotta complete the whole thing.

[voreaciously]

[she straightens suddenly--is she doing this right?]

I was going to!

[bad_crowmance]

[ That's actually pretty cute. ]

My mistake.

[ He sounds amused. ]

[voreaciously]

[noooo]

Y-yes, well--ah. Share something you like about yourself.

[bad_crowmance]

I like my face! It's a nice face.

[voreaciously]

I suppose so. Perhaps.

[bad_crowmance]

Definitely.

[ He's pretty confident about this one. ]

[voreaciously]

[god he is so hot tho actually]

As you say.

[she says it lightly, like sure, crow, totally teasing.]

And humble, too.

[bad_crowmance]

Who needs modesty? I could pretend to be humble but I don't have the patience for it.

[voreaciously]

Could you pretend to be humble?

[like, she's suddenly actually curious and wonders if he could do it convincingly]

1/2

[bad_crowmance]

Hmm....

[ He considers that for a moment. ]

[bad_crowmance]

[ His entire demeanor shifts. His shoulders drop slightly, he folds his arms across his chest, and he glances away from her. ]

I guess... I look okay?

[ He glances at her briefly, then shifts his gaze back away. ]

I mean, I know I'm not as attractive as you are....

[voreaciously]

[80H waits a moment.

She presses raised palms together as though in prayer and then tilts them slightly in his direction.]

Please. Never do that again.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He shifts back into his regular posture and starts laughing, too hard to answer right away. ]

[voreaciously]

[it's worth it to hear him laugh, she tries not to smile.]

Goodness gracious. [when it starts to abate]

The next square, then?

[bad_crowmance]

You haven't said what you like about yourself yet.

LOOOOOL you're lucky i left

[voreaciously]

[crow like why do you have a brain.]

Oh, have I not?

[she seems surprised.]

HONESTLY I AM

[bad_crowmance]

[ Because the Goddess saw fit to grant him with an overabundance of gifts. Strong, handsome, and smart.

Also, he totally doesn't believe that innocent tone but he won't call her out on it. Yet. ]

You didn't! And I'd hate for you to miss out on a square by accident.

[ "Accident." ]