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]

That's pretty much how my theory goes. Abilities, skills, powers... those are huge and most people aren't going to have a lot of them. So whatever system Cardy's got set up for this may need more sparks to pull in something that big. A memory's like... a mental recording of the past. An echo, something impermanent.

[desirestruth]

That does make the most amount of sense. It's just a little frustrating right now.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, I don't doubt it. At least if I remember a skill or an ability, I can use it right away. We've both had pieces of ourselves taken away... they're just very different ones.

[desirestruth]

Nothing we can do but work to gain them back.

[bad_crowmance]

And that's just what I intend to do.

[ He pounds his fist into an open hand. ]

[desirestruth]

...Did the card count that as a goal, I wonder?

[HM.]

[bad_crowmance]

I don't see why not.

[desirestruth]

Well then. I need the prank and that experiment...I'll spare you accidentally crushing this dainty old lady.

[She's considering this.]

...I wonder how broad their definition of 'experiment' is?

[bad_crowmance]

I don't get the impression you're dainty.

[ He considers that himself though, tucking his hands behind his head. ]

If you ask me, I'd say "as long as you come up with a hypothesis and test it out, it's an experiment." Even if it's a dumb one.

[desirestruth]

Without my powers, I may well be.

[...]

Alright, I hypothesize you could probably pick me up one-handed.

[she is SMOL. or at least doesn't weigh very much.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ He considers her seriously for a moment....

....and then hefts her up with one hand and tucks her under his arm. ]

Oh look, you're right! ♪♫

[desirestruth]

[She straight-up squeaked. And...yeah she is a lot lighter than you'd expect for her height. Dang.]

....How long are you going to do this.

[bad_crowmance]

I dunno, I could totally keep this up for a~ while~ ♪♫

[desirestruth]

Crowwwwww....

[bad_crowmance]

[ He laughs and then sets her back on her feet. ]

I'm kidding, I'm kidding. You don't have to say my name so threateningly.

[desirestruth]

[She puffs air into her cheek, a bit.]

It never fails to amaze me how much like Costin you are, despite being from entirely different worlds.

[bad_crowmance]

Is that your brother?

[desirestruth]

Yes. You don't look a thing like him, but personality-wise...

[bad_crowmance]

Huh. Are we really that similar?

[desirestruth]

He's an incorrigible tease and unstoppable flirt whose sense of shame was removed at birth, so...

[He's also cagey and detached but, again, naeva's not stupid, she's not going to point that out.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Naeva is indeed wise not to point that out. ]

Haha, sounds like my kinda guy.

[desirestruth]

You sure you could handle the competition?

[bad_crowmance]

Are you sure we wouldn't just end up hitting on each other?

[desirestruth]

Nah. He likes 'em religious and pure-seeming.

[bad_crowmance]

Hah! No thanks, that doesn't sound appealing to me.

[ I mean, he says that, but Gaius Worzel exists and he is everyone's type. However, he doesn't remember Gaius at all so HAH. ]

Guess we aren't entirely alike.