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]

That one necessitates a bit of favoritism does it not? I have many people important to me in my life.

There's my brother, to begin with. But I'm not sure what to say.

[desirestruth]

Whatever comes to you most naturally, I suppose. You needn't tell me every single detail. Just what you think is most noteworthy.

[...but she smiled a little. Brothers!!!]

[saddleclub]

Let's see. He's charming, intelligent, frighteningly competent. He's the one who taught me fencing and etiquette and how to survive in society. He's always been kind in how he treats me. He's also overly a perfectionist and bad at making friends.

[desirestruth]

...I almost can't tell which you think are his good traits.

[She can't help but laugh a little bit.]

You must be very fond of him.

[saddleclub]

Of course. He's my brother.

I believe it's your turn.

[desirestruth]

...I suppose it's only fair then. I, ah....I have a twin. His work takes him out of our country quite often, so it's been some time since I've seen him in person, but he always sends back tokens from the places he visits, with his letters.

We were awful to each other as small children, but no one knows you better than your own twin. I know that he'll always have my back. And I'll have his.

[saddleclub]

It seems you're very fond of him.

[desirestruth]

"Of course. He's my brother."

[She can't help it, it was such an easy shot.]

It is your turn to pick a square.

[saddleclub]

Hmph.

[He can't protest the shot.]

Do you have any goals or dreams?

[desirestruth]

Well...I'd like to bring peace to my kingdom.

[And if he doesn't ask her to expand on any of that, it's a perfectly normal goal.]

[saddleclub]

Is it in conflict?

[desirestruth]

Well, it's cursed a couple times over, it's been at war on and off for 100 years, and the magic that protects it is eroding.

So, a bit.

[WELL.]

[saddleclub]

That sounds rather troublesome.

[Dryly]

[desirestruth]

Just a touch.

And yourself? What are your goals?

[saddleclub]

Here? I should think the same as everyone. To restore my world and see my friends again.

[desirestruth]

It'd be a hard goal to focus on, for the people who can't remember.

[Just. Gentle reminder, there.]

But it is a good one, nonetheless.

[saddleclub]

I would assume they would also wish it regardless after a few memories.

[desirestruth]

...Not everyone has the good luck to have a place they can return to.

[saddleclub]

Very few can claim they have no one they wish to see again. And if they truly are so unfortunate, then surely they at least might wish to restore their world on the principle of being vaguely against the annihilation of their entire culture, one would hope.

[desirestruth]

...It's a very optimistic way of looking at the world, certainly.

[She's too old and has seen too much to believe everyone thinks that way. But it would be nicer, she supposes, if he were right.]

[saddleclub]

I somewhat doubt anyone here would be wholly nihilistic. We're supposedly the brightest souls or whatever.

[desirestruth]

...A soul in pain can blaze very brightly, too. People...don't act in their best interests, when they're hurting.

[Her voice remains mostly even, and her expression steady, but there's a soft, sorrowful tinge to it.]

[saddleclub]

Of that I'm well aware.