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

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, but you gave a good race.

[ He reaches his hand out to shake. ]

[nihilmancy]

[shakes.]

Er, likewise. Ah, I really do need to work on my physical fitness a bit more.

[bad_crowmance]

It's not a bad idea. It's important to keep in shape.

[nihilmancy]

I try to do regular calisthenics and jogs when I can, but that was in my own world. These clothes are not suited to the task- I should acquire some that are.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, honestly the uniforms they gave us are really impractical for... basically anything at all.

[ Which is one reason why he bought an outfit of his own choosing. ]

[nihilmancy]

They're stylish, if nothing else.

[bad_crowmance]

Maybe, but they don't offer pants.

[ That's inexcusable! ]

[nihilmancy]

It bothered you that much? Sorry if our frilly dresses bother you.

[bad_crowmance]

I don't mind the dress, I wouldn't even mind the other outfit-- if it came with pants. Just because I have great legs doesn't mean I want to show them off.

[nihilmancy]

After my glasses, my tattoos are my most charming feature, so I do like showing my legs sometimes.

[bad_crowmance]

They're nice legs, can't say I blame you for that. For me though? I like pants.

[nihilmancy]

[STOP FLIRTING IF YOU WON'T DELIVER THE GOODS this is really inconsiderate.]

Form fitting trousers are rare in most of the places I've lived. But I come from an arid land.

[bad_crowmance]

[ LOOK, SOMETIMES YOU JUST FLIRT ON AUTOPILOT. These things happen. ]

That'd probably do it.

[nihilmancy]

[just learn how to be a repressed, reserved thot like the rest of us]

They are more common to climes with a true winter.

[bad_crowmance]

[ Nah, being a shameless thot is a lot more fun. ]

Then wherever I'm from must have a winter.

[nihilmancy]

Possibly. Cultures do diffuse over wide differences, and bring their impractical clothing as well.

[bad_crowmance]

That makes sense.