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

[bowtiedbones]

I can. Remembering lyrics is the hardest part, so I hope you won't mind a short song.

[going to sing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' in Latin, since that's what she remembers from school. she doesn't have any singing practice past karaoke or singing to herself, but it's a nice enough voice for a lullaby]

[desirestruth]

Oh, cute!

[She doesn't recognize the language any, but she does know a lullaby tune when she hears it.]

[bowtiedbones]

Isn't it? It's sort of appropriate for this place, too.

[sings the first verse in English, just because yeah it's cute!! cute song for cute stars]

[desirestruth]

It really is...It reminds me a little of lullabies I remember.

[Which is a melancholy kind of memory, when she thinks about it, but...so it goes.]

[bowtiedbones]

We use the tune for a lot of other songs, too, especially for teaching the alphabet.

[desirestruth]

For the alphabet, really?

[bowtiedbones]

It's easier to teach a song to kids than a straight 26-item list.

[desirestruth]

Well, I suppose so.

[A beat.]

Should I sing too? Or shall we move on?

[She's not actually totally sure if they both have to do it for Eliza to fill the square.]

[bowtiedbones]

If you want? I won't discourage the idea.

[desirestruth]

It's just kind of embarrassing without music, is all.

[bowtiedbones]

Sort of, but it's not like I'll know what music is supposed to go with it, anyways.

[desirestruth]

Well, then.

[So what she sings isn't really exactly this, because it's not actually in japanese because fantasy worlds and stuff. But it is still essentially an upbeat swing song about really wanting chocolate.]

[bowtiedbones]

[applauds]

That sounded fun!

[desirestruth]

I--I'm glad you think so.

[bowtiedbones]

What's it about?

[desirestruth]

...Chocolate.

[She has the biggest sweet tooth you don't even understand.]

[bowtiedbones]

Oh, gosh! Really though, more songs should be about chocolate.

[desirestruth]

I'll skip the song just for the chocolate itself.

[bowtiedbones]

Maybe you can get someone to buy you a piece for the gift square.

[desirestruth]

Perhaps!

[She likes this idea!!!]

But first, we've a trust-fall to arrange, don't we?

[bowtiedbones]

Do you want to fall or do you want to catch?

[desirestruth]

My strength's not what I'm used to, so I'd prefer to fall.

[bowtiedbones]

Okay. I won't have any trouble catching you.

[desirestruth]

Alright...

[Well, she's nervous about it, but she will turn and fall! The good news is, she's lighter than you'd think.]

[bowtiedbones]

[catches her easily enough]

There!