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

[malignstar]

I mean, obviously. I just means it sounds intense and I'm sorry you had to go through that.

[desirestruth]

I appreciate it, but it's not really something I particularly dwell on much.

[She is lying through her pointy teeth.]

[malignstar]

I wish I had something of equal weight. But all I've got is that I can heal with my blood.

[desirestruth]

Yourself, or other people?

[malignstar]

Everyone but me.

[desirestruth]

Ah, that seems...a pretty troubling weakness.

[A beat.] I have a similar magic, but I have not regained most of it.

[malignstar]

Maybe it's just not that kind of magic. I mean, I'm not going to complain about being able to help people.

Similar?

[desirestruth]

It controls...vitae. Life energy. In most living animals, that's in blood.

[WELL.]

[malignstar]

How do you control blood?

[desirestruth]

....Do you want the long explanation or the short one?

[malignstar]

Well, when you put it like that, I've got no choice but to pick long.

[desirestruth]

Witchcraft is a born, rare trait, seen usually in women, that only occurs in those of my species, the nightkin. A witch will always have white hair, no matter their gender, and it cannot be dyed.

Witchcraft uses a little bit of our own mana to manipulate basic principles and aspects of reality, relating to a single 'domain' or theme. For example, a witch of storms would be able to control inclement weather, while a witch of truth may be able to make anything she says become true.

In my case, my domain is over life, or life energy, called vitae. Because of my curse, however, and because in most animals vitae is found in blood, I am known as the Blood Witch. Now, please do not panic--

[It'll feel very odd, but she'll use some of her power, to make his own hand wave. If he resists she'll drop it immediately, but if he lets it happen, well. It's probably weird to feel your arm move of it's own volition?]

--Currently, I only have part of my power back, so I can only move and form vitae in this way.

[malignstar]

[ Well, he doesn't resist, but his eyes flash a sort of gold, as he jerks back, a furious look in his eyes ]

Don't do that again.

[desirestruth]

...My apologies. It seemed less alarming then cutting myself open.

[She stares back at him, implacable, impassive. What she says is genuine, but no need for her to get defensive, either.]

[malignstar]

I beg to differ.

[ Stares down at his arm and carefully feels around it with precise movements ]

[desirestruth]

It is my mistake, then.

[The magic is gone, having dropped the moment he objected. Now that it is, nothing feels any different...]

[malignstar]

I should think that is obvious.

[ Releases his hand once he's sure nothing is out of the ordinary ]

[desirestruth]

I have not disagreed on that point.

[malignstar]

In any case, your candor is noted.

[desirestruth]

...Your manner of speaking has changed.

[She's just saying, she didn't expect you to actually know the word candor.]

[malignstar]

... What does that matter?

[desirestruth]

[Her eyes are very sharply narrowed.]

Your demeanor has as well...as if you are not the same person.

[There's a question in that. She's not going to accuse him of anything, but usually when she sees this shit happen it's Real Bad.]

[malignstar]

Such things are impossible. People do not simply become other people. Perhaps you just set off a bad mood.