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]

The last method assumes you have a few more resources--perhaps you've gone camping, but have simply run out of water--namely...

[And something begins to take shape in her hand. It's a water bottle--literally. In that she's shaped a bottle of water.]

A bottle, perhaps two. One for gathering, the other for filtering. Perhaps some coffee filters, paper towels, silk, or cotton swabs. They will prevent the materials from leaving. Cut the bottom of the bottle.

[The bottle reshapes and its bottom becomes open and shorter.]

Poke a hole in the lid. Ideally more than one to increase the rate of filtering.

[She removes the lid and holes appear before she reattaches it.]

Now, the more layers of materials you can add the better, but they may not be available to you. However, charcoal is very important and should go in first after the plug.

[she does not have any on her but wood chip constructs appear in her bottle for demonstrative purposes.] If you've any extra paper towel, that can follow, if not, gravel, and then sand. These both work to trap any particles between them.

[These she gathers herself from the beach adding to the bottle.]

When gathering water--[and here she makes another bottle]--cover the opening with some cloth to prevent larger particles from entering and contaminating the source.

[She crouches low to gather some and pours it into the bottle. Nothing comes out the other end just yet, but it will. Eventually.]

It is a lengthy process, but simply done. Any questions at all?

[bad_crowmance]

Nope, I'm following. The magic examples are really helpful.

[voreaciously]

[She brightens a little, her face turning pink.]

Ah, are they? I am glad then. That is another square, I believe.

[She pauses, thinking.]

I wonder if we can make bonds out of these, thinking about it.

[too bad she think about this during Crow's display of modesty, that sure af had an impact on her]

[bad_crowmance]

You know, I hadn't thought about it... that'd sure be a good way to make some quick cash. Sparks, whatever.

[ Same difference. ]

[voreaciously]

You really enjoy gambling.

[bad_crowmance]

Haha, what's not to enjoy?

[voreaciously]

Lo...sing?

[is this a trick question]

[bad_crowmance]

Well yeah, no one likes to lose. But that's the risk you take! And the feeling when you win is definitely worth trying for.

[voreaciously]

[


She grows quiet, cradling her chin in a bid of honest consideration. She has odd af principles, but she also is surprisingly open to new experiences.

Then again, it's not as if she's never gambled, but at this time it won't involve body parts.

Hm. She may as well make a bond of this, too, actually.]

Would you kindly show me, sometime? Please.

[bad_crowmance]

Sure, sounds like fun! I was planning on buying a deck of cards at some point anyway.

[voreaciously]

Very well. ...Advice, then.

[bad_crowmance]

[ Ah yes: One of the squares he least wants to do. ]

....I'll let you ask for advice first.

1/3

[voreaciously]

It can be for something of little consequence like...

[hey, crow, how do i stop being such a fuck up
hey, crow, how do i tell people i care
hey, crow, how do i stop being such a burden to people
hey, crow, how do i stop missing people
hey, crow, how do i normal
hey, crow how do i--]

...

2/3

[voreaciously]

[this is a bad square and i don't like i]

3/3

[voreaciously]

Actually, this is of some consequence, but how do I better your pleasure?

[THEY'RE OUTSIDE NO ONE ELSE IS HERE]

[bad_crowmance]

....Sexy lingerie, maybe?

[voreaciously]

Hmm, preferences?

[bad_crowmance]

Lacy! Black or blue, either would work.

[voreaciously]

[Her face is a bit pink. Lingerie is not something she's thought about a lot, actually. She's worn it a couple of times, but there is no denying the feminine appeal to it.

Funnily enough, she is more used to piercings.]

...I will see what I can do. Unfortunately, it would not work with the uniform.

[which is odd because it is plenty sexy? hm.]

[bad_crowmance]

I'll leave the details up to you.

[voreaciously]

V-very well.

[she clears her throat gently.]

I believe it is your turn, then...unless you would prefer to skip it.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He would actually prefer to skip it! But when she suggests it out loud, some stupid sense of stubborn pride kicks into gear and suddenly he knows he can't.

Dammit! Who asked pride to show up and have an opinion?! ]

Heh! There's no need for that, it's asking a simple question.

[ FFfffffuck he hates it.

Well. He can just go the route she did. ]

What can I do to better your pleasure?

[voreaciously]

[she can tell that he doesn't want to do it, but she's worked with and enough pride to know not to press the point. it's up to him, anyway.]

...Nothing, really.

[It is...not entirely true, but not a lie, either. There are things she wants to do, but she will not mention YET if she ever will, because of Reasons, but, really, he is also FUCKING AMAZING but she cannot tell him that, his ego will explode.

...Even if she believes in giving people their dues.

So, with a sigh:]

You are exceptional, so there is very little I would change. You do not have to focus on me so much, though....

[bad_crowmance]

[ It's so gratifying to hear that, and he can't help but grin. ]

Exceptional, huuuh~? ♪♫

[ He laughs and shakes his head. ]

Good to hear! Though you know that I enjoy focusing on you too, right? It's just as much fun to get my partner off as it is to get off myself. Aaaand I still haven't gotten you to scream yet.

[voreaciously]

[she exhales, long and slow, knowing this was going to happen.]

You are fortunate you are so handsome.

[wait, FUCK THAT WAS ANOTHER COMPLIMENT]

I take that one back.